THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  FIVE 

INDIAN  NATIONS  OF 

CANADA 

Which  are  Dependent  upon  the 
Province  of  New  York 

By 
CADWALLADER  COLDEN 

Two  Volumes.    $3.00 

Written  to  lay  more  completely  before  the  public  the  im- 
portance of  the  Five  Nations,  or  Iroquois,  to  the  Colony  of  New 
York  as  a  barrier  against  the  French  and  a  means  of  controlling 
the  West. 

The  first  historical  work  written  by  an  American;  one 
which  long  since  has  taken  rank  as  an  historical  classic,  and 
one  that  must  always  remain  the  foundation  for  all  literature 
relating  to  the  powerful  and  important  Iroquois  or  Five 
Nations  of  New  York  and  Canada. 

Colden  became  Surveyor-General  of  the  province  of  New 
York  in  1718.  A  few  years  later  he  visited  and  studied  the 
Mohawks  and  was  adopted  into  their  tribe.  His  inclinations 
and  his  official  life  both  led  toward  a  study  of  Indian  life, 
which  had  most  important  and  enduring  results.  The  History 
of  the  Five  Indian  Nations  contains  accounts  of  their  Religion, 
Manners,  Customs,  Laws  and  Forms  of  Government,  their 
Battles  and  Treaties  with  the  European  Nations;  Relations  of 
their  Wars  with  other  Indians;  also  political  considerations, 
intrigues  of  the  French,  etc.,  which  were  of  great  significance 
to  the  American  Colonies  and  far-reaching  in  their  results. 

The  original  edition  of  the  work  was  printed  by  W.  Brad- 
ford in  1727.  Copies  are  valued  at  $2,500.00,  but  very  few 
being  nom  in  existence. 


i£x  ICiiirta 


SEYMOUR    DURST 


-t '  Tort  nie4u>   ^Am/tercUm.  ej?  Je  M.anha,tans 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  heen  said 
"Ever'thinQ  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  hook." 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


*A  MAR  of  ^ve  Country  of  &e,  FJTVR,   NATIONS.  6e/onyinp  to  tAeTrovjtue  (rf  N"E  W  TO RK. 
ana* of  the  ZAKES.  near  n/At'c/i  the  JVatumo  of  FAR  IJTDIAJSTS  &ve,nnt&/iar{rof  CANADA. 


xACS .  Tfu.Tujcarerrvui  are  rumr  recforvd.  a.  <tintf/i vMtfivn.Sf ' 6ak.  ttiwevn  the  OnandaauM  If0neiab<f;tf ' lfo^4zirtitgt<f  of<Mi<fc/imd£i>riac  rwre 
T/u,  cAief Trade  nnt/i.  the  fir-Indian*  u)  at  /Ac  Ononetapeen  rivvra  mote/An*Ae*vlAey  muJtadl/tafi &O0  Amfardd  Canada.   . 


The  History 


OF  THE 


Five  Indian  Nations 
of  Canada 

which  are  dependent  on  the  Province  of 

New  York,  and  are  a  barrier  between 

the  English  and  the  French  in 

that  part  of  the  World 

BY 

Hon.  Cadwallader  Colden 

Surveyor-General  and  afterward  Lieutenant-Governor 
of  the  Province  of  New  York 


WITH  INTRODUCTION,  PORTRAIT 
AND  MAP 

IN  TWO  VOLUMES 

Volume  II 


MCMXXII 

ALLERTON  BOOK  CO. 

New  York 


99 


Copyright,  1904,  by 

Williams-Barker  Co. 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


PAPERS 

RELATING     TO 

An  ACT  of  the   Assembly 

OF     THE 

Province     of    NEW-TORK, 

FOR 

Encouragement  of  the  Indian  Trade,  &c,  and 

for  prohibiting  the  selling  of  Indian  Goods 

to  the  French,  viz.  of  CANADA. 

I.  A  Petition  of  the  Merchants  of  London  to  His 

Majesty  against  the  said  Act. 

II.  His  Majesty's  Order  in  Council,  referring  the 

Petition  to  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  Trade 
and  Plantation. 

III.  Extract  of  the  Minutes  of  the  said  Lords, 
concerning  some  Allegations  of  the  Merchants 
before  them. 

IV.  The  Report  of  the  said  Lords  to  His  Majesty 
on  the  Merchants  Petition,  and  other  Allega- 
tions. 

V.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Council  of 

the  Province  of  New-  York,  in  Answer  to  the 
said  Petition. 

VI.  A  Memorial  concerning  the  Furr-Trade  of 
New- York,  by  C.  Co/den,  Esq. 

iii 


TO     THE 

King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty  in 
Council, 

The  Humble  Petition  and  Representation  of 
Samuel  Baker,  Samuel  Storke,  John 
Bayeux,  Richard  Jeneway,  Robert  Hack- 
shaw,  Joseph  Low,  Joseph  Paice,  George 
Streatfield,  William  Parkin,  and  John 
Evered,  Merchants  of  London,  trading  to 
New-  York,  in  behalf  of  themselves,  and  the 
rest  of  the  Persons  concerned  in  the  New- 
York  Trade. 

SEEWETH, 

THAT  by  an  Act  passed  in  New- York  the 
19th  of  November,  1720,  entitled,  An 
Act  for  Encouragement  of  the  Indian  Trade, 
and  rendering  it  more  beneficial  to  the  Inhab- 
itants of  this  Province,  and  for  prohibiting 
the  selling  of  Indian  Goods  to  the  French, 
all  Trade  whatsoever  is  prohibited  in  the 
strictest  Manner,  and  under  the  severest  Pen- 
alties, between  the  Inhabitants  of  New-York 
Government,  and  the  French  of  Canada,  or 
any  Subjects  of  the  French  King,  or  any  Per- 
Vol.  II.— 1  1 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

son  whatsoever,  for  or  on  the  behalf  of  any- 
such  Subjects;  and  which  Act  was  to  con- 
tinue in  force  for  three  Years. 

That  the  Reasons  assigned  in  the  Preamble 
of  this  Act,  for  the  passing  thereof,  are,  For 
that  the  French  at  Canada,  by  means  of  In- 
dian Goods,  purchased  from  the  Inhabitants 
of  New- York,  had  not  only  almost  wholly 
engrossed  the  Indian  Trade  to  themselves, 
but  had,  in  great  measure,  withdrawn  the 
Affections  of  the  Five  Nations  of  Indians 
from  the  Inhabitants  of  New-York,  and  ren- 
der'd  them  wavering  in  their  Faith  and  Alle- 
giance to  your  Majesty;  and  would,  if  such 
Trade  was  not  prevented,  wholly  alienate  the 
Minds  of  the  said  Indians,  which  might  prove 
of  dangerous  Consequence  to  the  English  In- 
terest in  America. 

That  this  Act  was  sent  home  for  your 
Majesty's  royal  Consideration,  but  your  Peti- 
tioners do  not  find  that  your  Majesty  ever 
signified  your  Allowance  or  Disallowance 
thereof;  from  whence,  and  from  the  Act's 
being  to  continue  but  three  Years,  your  Peti- 
tioners humbly  conceive  the  same  was  suf- 
fered to  lie  by  probationary,  to  see  whether 
the  said  Act,  in  its  Effects,  was  really  advan- 
tageous or  prejudicial  to  the  British  Trade 
and  Interest  in  America. 

That  your  Petitioners  have  received  Ad- 
vice,  That  tke   Government   of   New-York 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

either  have,  or  are  about  passing  an  Act,  to 
revive  and  continue  the  said  Act  for  Prohib- 
iting all  Trade  between  New- York  and  Can- 
ada. 

Upon  which  Occasion,  your  Petitioners 
humbly  beg  leave  to  represent  to  your  Maj- 
esty, That  the  said  Act,  tho'  in  the  first  In- 
tention of  it,  it  might  be  well  designed,  yet 
in  its  Effects,  it  has  proved  very  pernicious 
to  the  British  Trade  in  general,  and  to  the 
Interest  of  New  York  in  particular :  For,  be- 
sides the  Nations  of  Indians  that  are  in  the 
English  Interest,  there  are  very  many  Na- 
tions of  Indians,  who  are,  at  present,  in  the 
Interest  of  the  French,  and  who  lie  between 
New- York,  and  the  Nations  of  Indians  in  the 
English  Interest;  and  this  Act  prohibiting 
all  Trade  between  New-York  and  the  French 
of  Canada,  or  any  of  the  Subjects  of  France, 
the  French,  and  their  Indians,  would  not 
permit  the  English  Indians  to  pass  over  by 
their  Forts,  so  as  to  carry  on  a  free  Trade 
with  New- York,  but  prevented  their  Pas- 
sages, as  much  as  possible,  whereby  that 
most  considerable  and  only  valuable  Branch 
of  Trade  from  New-York,  hath,  ever  since 
the  passing  the  said  Act,  very  much  lessened, 
from  the  great  Difficulties  of  carrying  on  any 
Trade  with  the  English  Indians,  and  the 
Prohibition  of  all  Trade  with  the  French; 
and  all  the  Indian  Goods  have,  by  this  Act, 
3 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

been  raised  in  their  Price  251.  to  301.  per 
Cent. 

Whereas,  on  the  otner  hand,  this  Branch 
of  the  New- York  Trade,  by  the  Discourage- 
ments brought  upon  it  by  this  Act,  is  al- 
most wholly  engrossed  by  the  French,  who 
have  already,  by  this  Act,  been  encouraged 
to  send  proper  European  Goods  to  Canada, 
to  carry  on  this  Trade ;  so  that  should  this 
Act  be  continued,  the  New- York  Trade,  which 
is  very  considerable,  must  be  wholly  lost  to 
us,  and  center  in  the  French. 

And  your  Petitioners  further  beg  leave 
humbly  to  represent,  That  as  they  conceive 
nothing  can  tend  more  to  the  with-drawing 
the  Affections  of  the  Five  Nations  of  Indians 
from  the  English  Interest,  than  the  Continu- 
ance of  the  said  Act,  which,  in  its  Effects, 
restrains  them  from  a  free  Commerce  with 
the  Inhabitants  of  New- York,  and  may,  too 
probably,  estrange  them  from  the  English 
Interest:  Whereas  by  a  Freedom  of  Com- 
merce, and  an  encourag'd  Intercourse  of 
Trade  with  the  French,  and  their  Indians, 
the  English  Interest  might,  in  time,  be  greatly 
improved  and  strengthened  among  the  In- 
dians in  general,  who,  by  such  Latitude  of 
Trade,  might  be  link'd  to  our  Friendship  in 
the  strongest  Ties  of  their  own  Interest,  as 
well  as  Inclinations. 

That  therefore,  and  as  the  said  Act  was, 
4 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


in  its  Effects,  so  plainly  destructive  and  prej- 
udicial to  the  Trade  and  Interest  of  these 
Kingdoms,  and  so  much  for  the  interest  of 
the  French,  and  greatly  promoted  that  Mis- 
chief which  it  was  intended  to  prevent, 

Your  Petitioners  most  humbly  pray  your 
Majesty  That  you  would  be  graciously  pleased 
to  give  the  necessary  Directions  to  your  Gov- 
ernor of  New- York,  not  to  pass  any  new 
Act  for  the  reviving  or  continuing  the  said 
Act  prohibiting  Trade  with  the  French  of 
Canada;  and  that  if  any  such  Act,  or  any 
Act  of  the  like  Tendency,  be  already  passed, 
that  the  same  may  be  repealed.  And  your 
Petitioners  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 


Samuel  Baker, 
Rob.  Hackshaw, 
Jo.  Lloyd, 
Sam.  Storke, 
J.  Bayeux, 
Sam.  Fitch, 
Rich.  Jeneway, 
Jos.  Lowe, 
Asher  Levy, 
John  Paine, 


J.  Bull, 
Fra.  Wilks, 
Wm.  Parkin, 
John  Gilbert, 
Jos.  Paice,  jun. 
Rich.  Mico, 
Jo.  Miranda, 
Geo.  Streatfield, 
John  Everet, 
Thompson  Hayne. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


At  the  Court  at  St.  James's  the  30th  Day  of 
April,  1724. 

PRESENT 

The    King's   Most   Excellent   Majesty   in 
Council. 

UPON  Reading  this  Day  at  the  Board  the 
humble  Petition  and  Representation  of 
Samuel  Baker,  Samuel  Storke,  and  several 
others,  Merchants  of  London,  trading  to 
New- York,  in  behalf  of  themselves,  and  the 
rest  of  the  Persons  concern' d  in  the  New- 
York  Trade,  which  Petition  sets  forth,  That 
great  Discouragements  have  been  brought 
upon  the  British  Trade,  by  an  Act  passed  in 
the  said  Colony  of  New  York,  the  19th  of 
November,  1720,  entitled,  An  Act  for  the 
Encouragement  of  the  Indian  Trade,  and 
rendering  of  it  more  beneficial  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  Province,  and  for  prohibiting 
the  selling  of  Indian  Goods  to  the  French. 
And  that  as  the  said  Act  was  to  continue  in 
force  only  for  three  Years,  they  are  informed 
the  Government  of  New-York  either  have,  or 
are  about  passing  an  Act  to  revive  and  con- 
tinue the  same :  Wherefore  they  humbly  pray, 
that  the  Governour  of  that  Colony  may  be 
ordered,  not  to  pass  any  new  Act  for  that 
6 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

purpose;    and   if   any  such  Act  be   already 
pass'd,  that  it  may  be  repealed. 

It  is  ordered  by  his  Majesty  in  Council, 
That  the  said  Petition  (a  Copy  whereof  is 
hereunto  annexed)  be,  and  it  is  hereby  re- 
ferred to  the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade 
and  Plantatious,  to  examine  into  the  same, 
and  report  to  his  Majesty,  at  this  Board,  what 
they  conceive  fit  to  be  done  therein. 
Signed, 

James  Vernon. 


Extract  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Right  Honour- 
able  the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade 
and  Plantations,  the  7th  of  July,  172 Jf. 

ME.  SHARP  attending,  as  he  had  beeu 
desired,  with  several  New-York  Mer- 
chants, their  Lordships  took  again  into  Con- 
sideration the  Order  of  Council  of  the  30th 
of  April,  mentioned  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
first  of  May  last,  referring  to  the  Board  their 
Petition  against  the  Benewing  an  Act  passed 
in  New- York,  in  November,  1720,  entitled, 
An  Act  for  the  Encouragement  of  the  Indian 
Trade,  and  rendering  of  it  more  effectual  to 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Province,  and  for 
prohibiting  the  selling  of  Indian  Goods  to  the 
Trench.  And  Mr.  Sharp,  in  behalf  of  the 
several  Merchants,  acquainted  their  Lord- 
7 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

ships,  That  he  conceived  this  Act,  the-'  its  In- 
tention of  gaining  the  Indians  to  the  English 
Interest  might  be  good,  would  have  quite  a 
contrary  Effect,  because,  if  the  Trade  with 
the  French  was  prevented,  and  the  Merchants 
should  discontinue  that  with  the  Indians,  (as 
he  was  informed  they  would)  the  French 
might  lay  hold  of  this  Opportunity  to  furnish 
themselves  with  Goods  from  Europe,  and 
supply  the  Five  Nations  of  Indians,  and 
thereby  gain  them  to  their  Interest:  And 
this,  by  reason  of  their  Situation,  would  not 
be  in  the  Power  of  the  English  to  prevent  : 
That  they  were  two  or  three  hundred  Leagues 
distant  from  Albany,  and  that  they  could  not 
come  to  trade  with  the  English  but  by  going 
down  the  River  St.  Laurence,  and  from 
thence  through  a  Lake,  which  brought  them 
within  eighteen  Leagues  of  Albany. 

And  that  the  French  having  made  Settle- 
ments along  the  said  River,  it  would  be  in 
their  Power,  whenever  they  pleased,  to  cut 
off  that  Communication. 

That  this  Act  had  been  so  great  a  Discour- 
agement to  the  British  Trade,  in  general, 
that  there  had  not  been,  by  far,  so  great  a 
Quantity  of  Beaver,  and  other  Furs,  imported 
into  Great-Britain  since  the  passing  of  the 
said  Act,  as  there  was  before ;  nor  half  the 
Quantity  of  European  Goods  exported. 

That  several  Merchants  who  had  sent  over 
8 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

to  New- York  considerable  Quantities  of  Euro- 
pean Goods,  had  received  Advice  from  their 
Correspondents,  That  should  another  Act  of 
the  like  Nature  be  passed,  they  could  not  find 
a  vent  for  them,  and  desired  they  would  send 
no  more. 

Upon  the  whole,  Mr.  Sharpe  desired,  in 
behalf  of  the  Merchants,  that  Mr.  Burnet 
might  be  directed  not  to  pass  any  Act  of  the 
like  Nature  for  the  future. 


To  the  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty. 

May  it  please  your  Majesty  ; 

IN  Obedience  to  your  Majesty's  Commands, 
signified  to  us  by  your  Order  in  Council 
of  the  30th  of  April  last,  referring  to  us  the 
Petition  of  several  Merchants  of  London 
trading  to  New- York,  setting  forth  "The 
great  Discouragements  that  have  been  brought 
upon  the  British  Trade  by  an  Act  passed  in 
New- York  the  19th  of  November,  1720,  en- 
titled, An  Act  for  the  Encouragement  of  the 
Indian  Trade,  and  rendering  of  it  more  bene- 
ficial to  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Province,  and 
for  prohibiting  the  selling  of  Indian  Goods 
to  the  French.  And  that  as  the  said  Act  is 
now  expired,  the  said  Merchants  are  informed 
the  Government  of  New-York  either  have,  or 
are  about  passing  an  Act  to  revive  and  con- 
9 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

tinue  the  same ;  and  therefore  pray,  that  a 
stop  may  be  put  thereto."  We  humbly  take 
leave  to  represent  to  your  Majesty, 

That  we  have  been  attended  by  the  Peti- 
tioners, who  informed  us,  that  they  have 
found  this  Act,  by  Experience,  to  be  so  great 
a  Discouragement  to  the  British  Trade,  that 
there  has  not  been,  by  far,  so  considerable  a 
Quantity  of  Beaver,  and  other  Furs,  imported 
into  Great-Britain,  from  New- York,  since  the 
passing  the  said  Act,  as  heretofore,  nor  half 
the  Quantity  of  European  Goods  exported 
thither;  in  consequence  whereof  the  Price 
of  Furs  is  raised  Five  and  Twenty  and  Thirty 
per  Cent,  to  the  great  Prejudice  of  several 
British  Manufactures. 

They  likewise  affirmed,  That  it  was  im- 
practicable to  hinder  the  French  from  supply- 
ing the  Indians  with  European  Goods :  For 
tho'  New- York  should  not  furnish  them,  the 
French  would  find  another  way  to  be  sup- 
plied therewith,  either  from  some  other  of 
his  Majesty's  Plantations,  or,  it  might  be, 
directly  from  Europe.  That  it  was  of  dan- 
gerous Consequence  to  force  this  Trade  into 
a  new  Channel,  many  of  the  Goods  which 
the  Indians  want  being  as  easy  to  be  had  di- 
rectly from  France  or  Holland,  as  from 
Great-Britain. 

They  further  added,  That  it  was  not  likely 
the  Act,  in  question,  should  produce  the 
10 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Effects  expected  from  it,  more  particularly 
that  of  securing  the  Five  Indian  Nations 
firmly  to  the  British  Interest ;  because,  if  the 
French  should  once  get  a  Supply  of  the 
Goods  necessary  for  the  Indian  Trade,  from 
any  other  Place,  as  the  Five  Indian  Nations 
are  settled  upon  the  Banks  of  the  River  of 
St.  Laurence,  directly  opposite  to  Quebeck, 
two  or  three  hundred  Leagues  distant  from 
the  nearest  British  Settlement  in  New- York, 
the  Vicinity  of  the  French  would  furnish 
them  with  the  Means  of  supplying  even  the 
Fve  Nations  with  these  Goods,  and  conse- 
quently of  alienating  their  Affections  from 
the  British  Interest.  And  that  there  was  no 
Prospect  of  obtaining  a  Trade  with  the  French 
Indians  by  this  means,  because  the  French 
would  always  be  able  to  prevent  their  Passage 
cross  the  Lakes  and  River  of  St.  Lawrence 
to  our  Settlements. 

These  were  the  most  material  Objections 
made  by  the  Merchants  against  the  Bill. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Preamble  of  the 
Act  sets  forth,  That  it  was  found  by  Expe- 
rience, that  the  French  of  Canada,  by  means 
of  Indian  Goods  brought  from  that  Province, 
had  not  only  almost  wholly  engrossed  the 
Indian  Trade,  but  had  in  great  Measure, 
withdrawn  the  Affections  of  the  Five  Nations 
of  Indians  from  the  Inhabitants  of  that 
11 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Province,  and  rendered  them  wavering  iu 
their  Allegiance  to,  your  Majesty;  and  would, 
if  such  Trade  were  not  prevented,  altogether 
alienate  the  Minds  of  the  said  Indians,  which 
would  prove  of  dangerous  Consequence  to  the 
English  Interest  in  America. 

And  Mr.  Burnet,  your  Majesty's  Gover- 
nour  of  New- York,  informs  us,  That,  since 
the  passing  of  this  Act,  several  of  the  far 
Indians  had  come  to  Albany  to  trade ;  That 
some  of  them  came  above  one  thousand 
Miles,  and  are  now  incorporated  with  the 
Five  Nations :  That  he  had  likewise  Intelli- 
gence of  more  far  Indians  that  design'  d  to 
come  to  Albany,  which  he  conceives  to  have 
been  a  good  Effect  proceeding  from  this  Act : 
And  likewise  adds,  That  he  did  not  doubt 
but  the  Cheapness  of  Goods  in  Albany  would 
induce  the  Indians  to  trade  there,  rather  than 
with  the  French  at  Montreal ;  and  that  the 
Traders  of  Albany  began  to  be  sensible  of 
their  Error  in  sharing  a  Trade  with  the 
French,  which  they  now  perceive  they  can 
keep  wholly  to  themselves. 

Upon  the  whole,  being  doubtful  of  some 
of  the  Facts  alledged  by  the  Merchants,  and 
considering  how  far  the  British  Trade  may 
be  affected  by  this  Act,  on  the  one  hand ;  and 
how  much  the  Security  and  Interest  of  your 
Majesty's  Colonies  in  America  may  be  con- 
12 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

cerned,  on  the  other,  we  are  humbly  of  Opin* 
ion,  That  no  Directions  should  be  sent  to 
New- York,  upon  the  Subject-Matter  of  this 
Act,  till  Mr.  Burnet  shall  have  been  ac- 
quainted with  the  Objections  of  the  Mer- 
chants thereto,  and  his  Answers  and  Observa- 
tions received  thereupon.  For  which  end,  if 
your  Majesty  shall  be  graciously  pleased  to 
approved  of  this  our  Proposal,  we  shall  forth- 
with send  him  Copies  both  of  the  Merchants 
Memorial,  and  of  what  Objections  they  have 
made  before  us  to  the  Subject-Matter  of  this 
Bill. 

Which  is  most  humbly  submitted. 

Signed,  J.  Chetwind,  R.  Plummer, 

Whitehall,       T.  Pelham,     Ed.  Ashe. 
July  14,  1724.    M.  Bladen, 


The  Report  of  a    Committee  of  the    Council 
held  at  New-  York,  November  6,  1724. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency, 

IN  Obedience  to  your  Excellency's  Com- 
mands in  Council,  the  29th  of  October, 
referring  to  us  a  Petition  of  several  Mer- 
chants in  London,  presented  to  the  King's 
most  excellent  Majesty,  against  renewing  an 
Act  passed  in  this  Province,  entitled,  An  Act 
for  Encouragement  of  the  Indian  Trade,  and 
13 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

rendering  it  more  effectual  to  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Province,  and  for  prohibiting  the  sell- 
ing of  Indian  Goods  to  the  French  j  as  like- 
wise the  several  Allegations  of  the  said  Mer- 
chants before  the  Eight  Hon.  the  Lords  of 
Trade  and  Plantations,  we  beg  Leave  to 
make  the  following  Eemarks. 

In  order  to  make  our  Observations  the 
more  distinct  and  clear,  we  shall  gather  to- 
gether the  several  Assertions  of  the  said  Mer- 
chants, both  in  their  Petition,  and  delivered 
verbally  before  the  Lords  of  Trade,  as  to  the 
Situation  of  this  Province,  with  respect  to 
the  French  and  Indian  Nations,  and  observed 
on  them,  in  the  first  Place,  they  being  the 
Foundation  on  which  all  their  other  Allega- 
tions are  grounded.  Afterwards  we  shall 
lay  before  your  Excellency,  what  we  think 
necessary  to  observe  on  the  other  parts  of  the 
said  Petition,  in  the  Order  they  are  in  tne 
Petition,  or  in  the  Report  of  the  Lords  of 
Trade. 

In  their  geographical  Accounts  they  say, 
u  Besides  the  Nations  of  Indians  that  are  in 
the  English  Interest,  there  are  very  many 
Nations  of  Indians,  who  are  at  present  in  the 
Interest  of  the  French,  and  who  lie  between 
New- York  and  the  Nations  of  Indians  in  the 

English  Interest. The  French  and  their 

Indians  would  not  permit  the  English  Indians 
to  pass  over  by  their  Forts. 
14 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

The  said  Act  "  Restrains  them  (the  Five 
Nations)  from  a  free  Commerce  with  the  In- 
habitants of  New- York. 

"  The  Five  Indian  Nations  are  settled  upon 
the  Banks  of  the  Eiver  St.  Lawrence,  directly 
opposite  to  Quebeck,  two  or  three  Hundred 
Leagues  distant  from  the  nearest  British  Set- 
tlements in  New-York. 

"  They  (the  Five  Nations  of  Indians)  were 
two  or  three  Hundred  Leagues  distant  from 
Albany;  and  that  they  could  not  come  to 
trade  with  the  English  but  by  going  down  the 
Eiver  St.  Lawrence,  and  from  thence  through 
a  Lake,  which  brought  them  within  eighteen 
Leagues  of  Albany." 

These  Things  the  Merchants  have  thought 
it  safe  for  them,  and  consistent  with  their 
Duty  to  his  sacred  Majesty,  to  say  in  his 
Majesty's  Presence,  and  to  repeat  them  after- 
wards before  the  Bight  Hon.  the  Lords  of 
Trade,  though  nothing  can  be  more  directly 
contrary  to  the  Truth.  For  there  are  no  Na- 
tions of  Indians  between  New-York  and  the 
Nations  of  Indians  in  the  English  Interest, 
who  are  now  six  in  Number,  by  the  Addition 
of  the  Tuscaroras.  The  Mohawks  (called 
Armies  by  the  French)  one  of  the  Five  Na- 
tions, live  on  the  South-side  of  a  Branch  of 
Hudson' s-Biver,  (not  on  the  North-side,  as 
they  are  placed  in  the  French  Maps)  and  but 
forty  Miles  directly  West  from  Albany,  and 
15 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

within  the  English  Settlements,  some  of  the 
English  Farms  upon  the  same  River  being 
thirty  Miles  further  West. 

The  Oneidas  (the  next  of  the  Five  Nations) 
lie|likewise  West  from  Albany,  near  the  Head 
of  the  Mohawks-River,  about  one  Hundred 
Miles  from  Albany. 

The  Onondagas  lie  about  one  Hundred  and 
Thirty  Miles  West  from  Albany.  And  the 
Tuscaroras  live  partly  with  the  Oneidas,  and 
partly  with  the  Onondagas. 

The  Cayugas  are  about  one  hundred  and 
sixty  Miles  from  Albany. 

And  the  Sennekas  (the  furthest  of  all  these 
Nations)  are  not  above  two  hundred  and 
forty  Miles  from  Albany,  as  may  appear  by 
Mr.  De  L' Isle's  Map  of  Louisiane,  who  lays 
down  the  Five  Nations  under  the  Name  of 
Iroquois. 

And  Goods  are  daily  carried  from  this 
Province  to  the  Sennekas,  as  well  as  to  those 
Nations  that  lie  nearer,  by  Water  all  the 
Way,  except  three  Miles,  (or  in  the  dry  Sea- 
sons, five  Miles)  where  the  Traders  carry  over 
Land  between  the  Mohawks-River  and  the 
Wood  Creek,  which  runs  into  the  Oneida- 
Lake,  without  going  near  either  St.  Lawrence- 
River,  or  any  of  the  Lakes  upon  which  the 
French  pass,  which  are  entirely  out  of  their 
Way. 

The  nearest  French  Forts  or  Settlements  to 
16 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Albany,  are  Chambly  and  Monreal,  both  of 
they  lying  abont  North  and  by  East  from 
Albany,  and  are  near  two  hundred  Miles  dis- 
tant from  it.  Quebeek  lies  about  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty  Miles  North-East  from  Al- 
bany. So  far  is  it  from  being  true,  that  the 
Eive  Nations  are  situated  upon  the  Banks  of 
the  Eiver  St.  Lawrence,  opposite  to  Quebeek, 
that  Albany  lies  almost  directly  between 
Quebeek  and  the  Five  Nations.  And  to  say 
that  these  Indians  cannot  come  to  trade  at 
Albany,  but  by  going  down  the  River  St. 
Lawrence,  and  then  into  a  Lake  eighteen 
Leagues  from  Albany  (we  suppose  they  mean 
Lake  Champlain)  passing  by  the  French 
Forts,  is  to  the  same  Purpose  as  if  they 
should  say,  that  one  cannot  go  from  London 
to  Bristol,  but  by  Way  of  Edinburgh. 

Before  we  go  on  to  observe  other  Particu- 
lars, we  beg  Leave  further  to  remark,  that 
it  is  so  far  from  being  true,  that  the  Indians 
in  the  French  Interest,  lie  between  New- 
York  and  our  Five  Nations  of  Indians,  that 
some  of  our  Nations  of  Indians  lie  between 
the  French  and  the  Indians,  from  whence  the 
French  bring  the  far  greatest  Quantity  of 
their  Furs:  For  the  Sennekas  (whom  the 
French  call  Sonontouons)  are  situated  be- 
tween Lake  Erie  and  Cataraqui  Lake,  (called 
by  the  French  Ontario)  near  the  great  Fall 
of  Jagara,  by  which  all  the  Indians  that  live 
Vol.  II.—  2  17 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

round  Lake  Erie,  round  the  Lake  of  the 
Hurons,  round  the  Lake  of  the  Illenois,  or 
Michegan,  and  routed  the  great  Upper  Lake, 
generally  pass  in  their  Way  to  Canada.  All 
the  Indians  situated  upon  the  Branches  of 
the  Misissippi,  must  likewise  pass  by  the 
same  Place,  if  they  go  to  Canada.  And  all 
of  them  likewise  iu  their  Way  to  Canada, 
pass  by  our  Trading-Place  upon  the  Cataraqui 
Lake,  at  the  Mouth  of  the  Onondaga  River. 
The  nearest  and  safest  Way  of  carrying  Goods 
upon  the  Cataraqui  Lake  towards  Canada, 
being  along  the  South-side  of  that  Lake, 
(near  where  cur  Indians  are  settled,  and  our 
Trade  of  late  is  fixed)  and  not  by  the  North- 
side  and  Cataraqui,  or  Frontinac  Fort,  where 
the  French  are  settled. 

Now  that  we  have  represented  to  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  not  one  Word  of  the  Geography 
of  these  Merchants  is  true,  upon  which  all 
their  Reasoning  is  founded,  it  might  seem 
needless  to  trouble  your  Excellency  with  any 
further  Remarks,  were  it  not  to  show  with 
what  earnestness  they  are  promoting  the 
French  Interest,  to  the  Prejudice  of  all  his 
Majesty's  Colonies  in  North  America,  and 
that  they  are  not  ashamed  of  asserting  any 
Thing  for  that  End,  even  in  the  Royal  Pres- 
ence. 

First,  They  say,  "  That  by  the  Act  passed 
in  this  Province,  entitled,  An  Act  for  En- 
18 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

couragement  of  the  Indian  Trade,  &c.  All 
Trade  whatsoever  is  prohibited  in  the  strict- 
est Manner,  and  under  the  severest  Penalties, 
between  the  Inhabitants  of  New- York  Gov- 
ernment, and  the  French  of  Canada." 

This  is  not  true,  for  only  carrying  Goods 
to  the  French,  which  are  proper  for  the  In- 
dian Trade,  is  prohibited.  The  Trade  as  to 
other  Things,  is  left  in  the  same  State  it  was 
before  that  Act  was  made,  as  it  will  appear 
to  any  Person  that  shall  read  it :  And  there 
are  yearly  large  Quantities  of  other  Goods 
openly  carried  to  Canada,  without  any  Hin- 
drance from  the  Government  of  New-York. 
Whatever  may  be  said  of  the  Severity  and 
Penalties  in  that  Act,  they  are  found  insuffi- 
cient to  deter  some  from  carrying  Goods  clan- 
destinely to  the  French ;  and  the  Legislature 
of  this  Province  are  convinced  that  no  Penal- 
ties can  be  too  severe,  to  prevent  a  Trade 
which  puts  the  Safety  of  all  his  Majesty's 
Subjects  of  North  America  in  the  greatest 
Danger. 

Their  next  Assertion  is,  All  the  Indian 
Goods  have  by  this  Act,  been  raised  251.  to 
SOI.  per  Cent.  This  is  the  only  Allegation 
in  the  whole  Petition,  that  there  is  any 
Ground  for.  Nevertheless,  though  the  com- 
mon Channel  of  Trade  cannot  be  altered  with- 
out some  Detriment  to  it  in  the  Beginning,  we 
are  assured  from  the  Custom-house  Books, 
19 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

that  there  has  been  every  Year,  since  the 
passing  of  this  Act,  more  Furs  exported  from 
New- York,  than  in  the  Year  immediately  be- 
fore the  passing  of  this  Act.  It  is  not  prob- 
able, that  the  greatest  Difference  between  the 
Exportation  any  Year  before  this  Act,  and 
any  Year  since,  could  so  much  alter  the 
Price  of  Beaver,  as  it  is  found  to  be  this  last 
Year.  Beaver  is  carried  to  Britain  from 
other  Parts  besides  New- York,  and  it  is  cer- 
tain that  the  Price  of  Beaver  is  not  so  much 
altered  here  by  the  Quantity  in  our  Market,  as 
by  the  Demand  for  it  in  Britain.  But  as  we 
cannot  be  so  well  informed  here,  what  occa- 
sions Beaver  to  be  in  greater  Demand  in  Brit- 
ain, we  must  leave  that  to  be  enquired  after 
in  England.  However,  we  are  fully  satisfied 
that  it  will  be  found  to  be  for  very  different 
Reasons  from  what  the  Merchants  alledge. 

The  Merchants  go  on  and  say,  Whereas  on 
the  other  Hand,  this  Branch  of  the  New- 
York  Trade,  by  the  Discouragements  brought 
upon  it  by  this  Act,  is  almost  wholly  en- 
grossed by  the  French,  who  have  already  by 
this  Act,  been  encouraged  to  send  proper 
European  Goods  to  Canada,  to  carry  on  this 
Trade,  so  that  should  this  Act  be  continued, 
the  New- York  Trade  which  is  very  consider- 
able, must  be  wholly  lost  to  us,  and  center  in 

the  French. Though  New- York  should 

not  furnish  them,  the  French  would  find  an- 
20 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

other  Way  to  be  supplied  therewith,  either 
from  some  other  of  his  Majesty's  Plantations, 

or  it  might  be  directly  from  Europe. 

Many  of  the  Goods  which  the  Indians  want 
being  as  easy  to  be  had  directly  from  France 
or  Holland,  as  from  Great-Britain. 

This  is  easily  answered,  by  informing  your 
Excellency,  that  the  principal  of  the  Goods 
proper  for  the  Indian  Market  are  only  of  the 
Manufactures  of  Great-Britain,  or  of  the 
British  Plantations  viz.  Strouds,  or  Stroud- 
Waters,  and  other  Woollens,  and  Rum.  The 
French  must  be  obliged  to  buy  all  their 
Woollens  (the  Strouds  especially)  in  Eng- 
land, and  thence  carry  them  to  France,  in 
order  to  their  Transportation  to  Canada. 
The  Voyage  to  Quebeck  through  the  Bay  of 
St.  Lawrence,  is  well  known  to  be  the  most 
dangerous  of  any  in  the  World,  and  only 
practicable  in  the  Summer  Months.  The 
French  have  no  Commodities  in  Canada,  by 
reason  of  the  Cold  and  Barrenness  of  the 
Soil,  proper  for  the  West-India  Markets,  and 
therefore  have  no  Bum  but  by  Vessels  from 
France,  that  touch  at  their  Islands  in  the 
West-Indies.  New- York  has,  by  Reason  of 
its  Situation,  both  as  to  the  Sea  and  the  In- 
dians, every  Way  the  Advantage  of  Canada. 
The  New- York  Vessels  make  always  two 
Voyages  in  the  Year  from  England,  one  in 
Summer  and  another  in  Winter,  and  several 
21 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"Voyages  in  a  Year  to  the  West-Indies.  It  is 
manifest  therefore,  that  it  is  not  in  the  Power 
of  the  French  to  import  any  Goods  near  so 
cheap  to  Canada,  as  they  are  imported  to  New- 
York. 

But  to  put  this  out  of  all  Controversy,  we 
need  only  observe  to  your  Excellency,  That 
Strouds  (without  which  no  considerable  Trade 
can  be  carried  on  with  the  Indians)  are  sold  at 
Albany  for  10Z.  a  Piece :  They  were  sold  at 
Monreal  before  this  Act  took  Place,  at  131. 
2s.  6d.  and  now  they  are  sold  there  for  251. 
and  upwards:  Which  is  an  evident  Proof, 
that  the  French  have  not,  in  these  four 
Years  Time  (during  the  Continuance  of  this 
Act)  found  out  any  other  Way  to  supply 
themselves  with  Strouds,  and  likewise  that 
they  cannot  trade  without  them,  seeing  they 
buy  them  at  so  extravagant  a  Price. 

It  likewise  appears,  that  none  of  the  neigh- 
bouring Colonies  have  been  able  to  supply 
the  French  with  these  Goods ;  and  those  that 
know  the  Geography  of  the  Country,  know 
it  is  impracticable  to  do  it  at  any  tolerable 
Rate,  because  they  must  carry  their  Goods 
ten  Times  further  by  Land  than  we  need  to 
do. 

We  are  likewise  assured,  that  the  Mer- 
chants of  Monreal  lately  told  Mr.  Vaudreuil 
their  Governor,  that  if  the  Trade  from  Al- 
bany be  not  by  some  Means  or  other  encour- 
22 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

aged,  they  must  abandon  that  Settlement. 
"We  have  Keason  therefore  to  suspect,  that 
these  Merchants  (at  least  some  of  them)  have 
been  practised  upon  by  the  French  Agents  in 
London ;  for  no  doubt,  the  French  will  leave 
no  Method  untried  to  defeat  the  present  De- 
signs of  this  Government,  seeing  they  are 
more  afraid  of  the  Consequences  of  this 
Trade  between  New-York  and  the  Indians, 
than  of  all  the  warlike  Expeditions  that  ever 
were  attempted  against  Canada. 

But  to  return  to  the  Petitioners,  They  con- 
ceive nothing  can  tend  more  to  the  withdraw- 
ing the  Affections  of  the  Five  Nations  of  In- 
dians from  the  English  Interest,  than  the 
Continuance  of  the  said  Act,  which  in  its 
Effects  restrains  them  from  a  free  Commerce 
with  the  Inhabitants  of  New-York,  and  may 
too  probably,  estrange  them  from  the  English 
Interest,  whereas  by  a  Freedom  of  Commerce, 
and  an  encouraged  Intercourse  of  Trade  with 
the  French  and  their  Indians,  the  English 
Interest  might  in  Time,  be  greatly  improved 
and  strengthened. 

It  seems  to  us  a  strange  Argument  to  say, 
that  an  Act,  the  whole  Purport  of  which  is 
to  encourage  our  own  People  to  go  among  the 
Indians,  and  to  draw  the  far  Indians  through 
our  Indian  Country  to  Albany  (and  which  has 
truly  produced  these  Effects)  would  on  the 
contrary,  restrain  them  from  a  free  Com' 
23 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

merce  with  the  Inhabitants  of  New- York, 
and  may  too  probably  estrange  them  from 
the  English  Interest,  and  therefore  that  it 
would  be  much  wiser  in  us  to  make  use  of 
the  French,  to  promote  the  English  Interest ; 
and  for  which  End,  we  ought  to  encourage  a 
free  Intercourse  between  them  and  our  In- 
dians. The  reverse  of  this  is  exactly  true,  in 
the  Opinion  of  our  Five  Nations ;  who  in  all 
their  publick  Treaties  with  this  Government, 
have  represented  against  this  Trade,  as  The 
Building  the  French  Forts  with  English 
Strouds :  That  the  encouraging  a  Freedom  of 
Commerce  with  our  Indians,  and  the  Indians 
round  them,  who  must  pass  through  their 
Country  to  Albany,  would  certainly  increase 
both  the  English  Interest  and  theirs,  among 
all  the  Nations  to  the  Westward  of  them; 
and  that  the  carrying  the  Indian  Market  to 
Monreal  in  Canada,  draws  all  the  far  Indians 
thither. 

The  last  Thing  we  have  to  take  Notice,  is 
what  the  Merchants  asserted  before  the  Lords 
of  Trade,  viz.  That  there  has  not  been  half 
the  Quantity  of  European  Goods  exported 
since  the  passing  of  this  Act,  that  used  to  be. 

We  are  well  assured,  that  this  is  no  better 
grounded  than  the  other  Facts  they  assert 
with  the  same  Positiveness.  For  it  is  well 
known  almost  to  every  Person  in  New-York, 
that  there  has  not  been  a  less,  but  rather  a 
24 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

greater  Quantity  of  European  Goods  imported 
into  this  Place,  since  the  passing  of  this  Act, 
than  was  at  any  Time  before  it,  in  the  same 
Space  of  Time.  As  this  appears  by  the  Man- 
ifests in  the  Custom-house  here,  the  same  may 
likewise  be  easily  proved  by  the  Custom- 
house Books  in  London. 

As  all  the  Arguments  of  the  Merchants  run 
upon  the  ill  Effects  this  Act  has  had  upon  the 
Trade  and  the  Minds  of  the  Indians,  every 
one  of  which  we  have  shown  to  be  asserted 
without  the  least  Foundation  to  support  them, 
there  nothing  now  remains,  but  to  show  the 
good  Effects  this  Act  has  produced,  which 
are  so  notorious  in  this  Province,  that  we 
know  not  one  Person  that  now  opens  his 
Mouth  against  the  Act. 

Before  this  Act  passed,  none  of  the  People 
of  this  Province  travelled  into  the  Indian 
Countries  to  trade :  We  have  now  above  forty 
young  Men,  who  have  been  several  Times  as 
far  as  the  Lakes  a  trading,  and  thereby  be- 
come well  acquainted,  not  only  with  the  Trade 
of  the  Indians,  but  likewise  with  their  Man- 
ners and  Languages ;  and  these  have  returned 
with  such  large  Quantities  of  Furs,  that 
greater  Numbers  are  resolved  to  follow  their 
Example.  So  that  we  have  good  Keason  to 
hope,  that  in  a  little  Time  the  English  will 
draw  the  whole  Indian  Trade  of  the  Inland 
Countries  to  Albany,  and  into  the  Country  of 
25 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  Five  Nations.  This  Government  has 
built  a  publick  Trading-house  upon  Cataraqui 
Lake,  at  Iondequat  in  the  Sennekas  Land, 
and  another  is  to  be  built  next  Spring,  at  the 
Mouth  of  the  Onondagas  River.  All  the  far 
Indians  pass  by  these  Places,  in  their  Way 
to  Canada;  and  they  are  not  above  half  so 
far  from  the  English  Settlements,  as  they 
are  from  the  French. 

So  far  is  it  from  being  true  what  the  Mer- 
chants say,  That  the  French  Forts  interrupt 
all  Communication  between  the  Indians  and 
the  English,  that  if  these  Places  be  well  sup- 
ported, as  they  easily  can  be  from  our  Settle- 
ments, in  case  of  a  Rupture  with  the  French, 
it  will  be  in  the  Power  of  this  Province,  to 
intercept  the  greatest  Part  of  the  Trade  be- 
tween Canada  and  the  Indians,  round  the 
Lakes  and  the  Branches  of  the  Misissippi. 

Since  this  Act  passed,  many  Nations  have 
come  to  Albany  to  trade,  and  settle  Peace 
and  Friendship,  whose  Names  had  not  so 
much  as  been  heard  of  among  us. 

In  the  Beginning  of  May  1723,  a  Nation 
of  Indians  came  to  Albany  singing  and  dan- 
cing, with  their  Calumets  before  them,  as 
they  always  do  when  they  come  to  any  Place 
where  they  have  not  been  before.  We  do 
not  find  that  the  Commissioners  of  Indian 
Affairs,  were  able  to  inform  themselves  what 
Nation  this  was. 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Towards  the  End  of  the  same  Month, 
eighty  Men,  besides  Women  and  Children, 
came  to  Albany  in  the  same  Manner.  These 
had  one  of  our  Five  Nations  with  them  for 
an  Interpreter,  by  whom  they  informed  the 
Commissioners,  that  they  were  of  a  great 
Nation,  called  Nehkereages,  consisting  of  six 
Castles  and  Tribes ;  and  that  they  lived  near 
a  Place  called  by  the  French  Missilimakinak, 
between  the  Upper  Lake  and  the  Lake  of  the 
Hurons.  These  Indians  not  only  desired  a 
free  Commerce,  but  likewise  to  enter  into  a 
strict  League  of  Friendship  with  us  and  our 
Six  Nations,  that  they  might  be  accounted 
the  Seventh  Nation  in  the  League;  and  being 
received  accordingly,  they  left  their  Calumet 
as  a  Pledge  of  their  Fidelity. 

In  June  another  Nation  arrived,  but  from 
what  Part  of  the  Continent  we  have  -not 
learned. 

In  July  the  Twightwies  arrived,  and 
brought  an  Indian  Interpreter  of  our  Nations 
with  them,  who  told,  that  they  were  called  by 
the  French  Miamies,  and  that  they  lived  upon 
one  of  the  Branches  of  the  Eiver  Misissippi. 

At  the  same  Time  some  of  the  Tahsagron- 
die  Indians,  who  live  between  Lake  Erie  and 
the  Lake  of  the  Hurons,  near  a  French  Set- 
tlement, did  come  and  renew  their  League 
with  the  English,  nor  durst  the  French  hin- 
der them. 

27 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

In  July  this  Year,  another  Nation  came, 
whose  Situation  and  Name  we  know  not.  And 
in  August  and  September,  several  Parties  of 
the  same  Indians  that  had  been  here  last 
Year.  But  the  greatest  Numbers  of  these 
far  Indians  have  been  met  this  Year,  in  the 
Indian  Country  by  our  Traders,  every  one  of 
them  endeavouring  to  get  before  another,  in 
order  to  reap  the  Profits  of  so  advantagious 
a  Trade,  which  has  all  this  Summer  long, 
kept  about  forty  Traders  constantly  em- 
ployed, in  going  between  our  Trading-places 
in  our  Indian  Country,  and  Albany. 

All  these  Nations  of  Indians  who  came  to 
Albany  said,  that  the  French  had  told  them 
many  strange  Stories  of  the  English,  and 
did  what  they  could  to  hinder  their  coming 
to  Albany,  but  that  they  had  resolved  to 
break  through  by  Force.  The  Difference  on 
this  Score  between  the  Tahsagrondie  Indians 
and  the  French  (who  have  a  Fort  and  Settle- 
ment there,  called  by  them  Le  Detroit)  rose 
to  that  Height  this  Summer,  that  Mr.  Tonti 
who  commanded  there,  thought  it  proper  to 
retire,  and  return  to  Canada  with  many  of 
his  Men. 

We  are  for  these  Reasons  well  assured, 
that  this  Year  there  will  be  more  Beaver  ex- 
ported for  Great-Britain,  than  ever  was  from 
this  Province  in  one  Year ;  and  that  if  the 
Custom-house  Books  at  London  be  looked 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

into,  it  will  be  found,  that  there  will  be  a  far 
greater  Quantity  of  Goods  for  the  Indians, 
(Strouds  especially)  sent  over  next  Spring, 
than  ever  was  at  any  one  Time  to  this  Prov- 
ince; for  the  Merchants  here  tell  us,  that 
they  have  at  this  Time,  ordered  more  of  these 
Goods,  than  ever  was  done  at  any  one  Time 
before. 

These  Matters  of  Fact  prove  beyond  Con- 
tradiction, that  this  Act  has  been  of  the 
greatest  Service  to  New-York,  in  making  us 
acquainted  with  many  Nations  of  Indians, 
formerly  entirely  unknown  and  Strangers  to 
us ;  in  withdrawing  them  from  their  Depend- 
ance  upon  the  French,  and  in  uniting  them  to 
us  and  our  Indians,  by  Means  of  Trade  and 
mutual  Offices  of  Friendship.  Of  what  great 
Consequence  this  may  be  to  the  British  In- 
terest in  general,  as  to  Trade,  is  apparent  to 
any  Body.  It  is  no  less  apparent  likewise 
that  it  is  of  the  greatest  Consequence  to  the 
Safety  of  all  the  British  Colonies  in  North- 
America.  We  feel  too  sensibly,  the  ill 
Effects  of  the  French  Interest  in  the  present 
War  betwixt  New-England,  and  only  one 
Nation  of  Indians  supported  by  the  French. 
Of  what  dismal  Consequences  then  might  it 
be,  if  the  French  should  be  able  to  influence 
in  the  same  Manner,  so  many  and  such  numer- 
ous Nations,  as  lie  to  the  Westward  of  this 
Province,  Pensylvania  and  Maryland?  On 
29 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  other  Hand,  if  all  these  Nations  (who 
assert  their  own  Freedom,  and  declare  them- 
selves Friends  to  tttose  that  supply  them  best 
with  what  they  want)  be  brought  to  have  a 
Dependance  upon  the  English  (as  we  have 
good  Reason  to  hope,  in  a  short  Time  they 
will)  the  French  of  Canada,  in  case  of  a  War, 
must  be  at  the  Mercy  of  the  English. 

To  these  Advantages  must  be  added,  that 
many  of  our  young  Men  having  been  induced 
by  this  Act  to  travel  among  the  Indians,  they 
learn  their  Manners,  their  Languages,  and 
the  Situation  of  all  their  Countries,  and  be- 
come inured  to  all  Manner  of  Fatigues  and 
Hardships,  and  a  great  many  more  being  re- 
solved to  follow  their  Example ;  these  young 
Men,  in  case  of  a  War  with  the  Indians,  will 
be  of  ten  Times  the  Service,  that  the  same 
Number  of  the  common  Militia  can  be  of. 

The  Effects  of  this  Act  have  likewise  'so 
much  quieted  the  Minds  of  the  People,  with 
Respect  to  the  Security  of  the  Frontiers,  that 
our  Settlements  are  now  extended  above 
thirty  Miles  further  West  towards  the  Indian 
Countries,  than  they  were  before  it  passed. 

The  only  Thing  that  now  remains  to  an- 
swer, is  an  Objection  which  we  suppose  may 
be  made,  What  can  induce  the  Merchants  of 
London  to  petition  against  an  Act,  which 
will  be  really  so  much  for  their  Interest  in 
the  End?  The  Reason  is  in  all  Probability, 
30 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

"because  they  only  consider  their  present 
Gain ;  and  that  they  are  not  at  all  concerned 
for  the  Safety  of  this  Country,  in  encourag- 
ing the  most  necessary  Undertaking,  if  they 
apprehend  their  Profit  for  two  or  three  Years 
may  be  lessened  by  it.  This  Inclination  of 
the  Merchants  has  been  so  notorious,  that  few 
Nations  at  War  with  their  Neighbours,  have 
been  able  to  restrain  them  from  supplying 
their  Enemies  with  Ammunition  and  Arms. 
The  Count  D'Estrade,  in  his  Letters  in  1638 
says,  That  when  the  Dutch  were  besieging 
Ajitwerp,  one  Beiland,  who  had  loaded  four 
Ply-boats  with  Arms  and  Powder  for  Ant- 
werp, being  taken  up  by  the  Prince  of 
Orange's  Order,  and  examined  at  Amster- 
dam, said  boldly,  That  the  Burghers  of  A_m- 
sterdam  had  a  Right  to  trade  every  where : 
That  he  could  name  a  Hundred  that  were 
Factors  for  the  Merchants  at  Antwerp,  and 
that  he  was  one.  That  Trade  cannot  be  in- 
terrupted, and  that  for  his  Part  he  was  very 
free  to  own,  that  if  to  get  any  Thing  by 
Trade  it  were  necessary  to  pass  through  Hell> 
he  would  venture  to  burn  his  Sails.  When 
this  Principle  so  common  to  Merchants,  is 
considered,  and  that  some  in  this  Place  have 
got  Estates  by  trading  many  Years  to  Can- 
ada, it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  they  have 
acted  as  Factors  for  Canada  in  this  Affair, 
and  that  they  have  transmitted  such  Accounts 
31 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  their  Correspondents  in  London,  as  are 
consistent  with  the  Trust  reposed  in  them 
by  the  Merchants  of  Canada. 

In  the  last  Place,  we  are  humbly  of  Opin- 
ion, that  it  may  be  proper  to  print  the  Peti- 
tion of  the  Merchants  of  London,  and  their 
Allegations  before  the  Lords  of  Trade,  to- 
gether with  the  Answers  your  Committee  has 
made  thereto,  in  Vindication  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  this  Province,  of  which  we  have  the 
Honour  to  be  a  Part,  if  your  Excellency 
shall  approve  of  our  Answers:  That  what 
we  have  said  may  be  exposed  to  the  Examin- 
ation of  every  one  in  this  Place,  where  the 
Truth  of  the  Matters  of  Fact  is  best  known ; 
and  that  the  Correspondents  of  these  Mer- 
chants may  have  the  most  publick  Notice  to 
reply,  if  they  shall  think  it  proper,  or  to  dis- 
own in  a  publick  Manner,  that  they  are  the 
Authors  of  such  groundless  Informations. 

All  which  is  unanimously  and  humbly  sub- 
mitted by 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  humble  Servants, 

R.  Walter,  Cadwallader  Colden, 

Rip  Van  Dam,  Ja.  Alexander, 

John  Barberie,  Abraham  van  Horn. 
Fr.  Harrison, 


32 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


A  Memorial  concerning  the  Furr-Trade  of  the 
Province  of  New- York. 

Presented  to  his  Excellency  William  Burnet, 
Esq ;  Captain  General  and  Governor,  &c. 
by  Cadwallader  Colden,  Surveyor  General 
of  the  said  Province,  the  10th  of  November 
1724. 

IT  has  of  late  been  generally  believed,  that 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Province  of  New- 
York  are  so  advantageously  situated,  with 
respect  to  the  Indian  Trade,  and  enjoy  so 
many  Advantages  as  to  Trade  in  general,  that 
it  is  in  their  Power  not  only  to  rival  the 
French  of  Canada,  who  have  almost  entirely 
engrossed  the  Furr-Trade  of  America,  but 
that  it  is  impossible  for  the  French  to  carry 
on  that  Trade  in  Competition  with  the  People 
of  this  Province.  The  enquiring  into  the 
Truth  of  this  Proposition,  may  not  only  be 
of  some  Consequence,  as  to  the  Riches  and 
Honour  of  the  British  Nation,  (for  it  is  well 
known  how  valuable  the  Furr-Trade  of 
America  is)  but  likewise  as  to  the  Safety  of 
all  the  British  Colonies  in  North- America. 
New-France  (as  the  French  now  claim)  ex- 
tends from  the  Mouth  of  the  River  Misissip- 
pi,  to  the  Mouth  of  the  River  St.  Lawrence, 
by  which  the  French  plainly  show  their 
Vol.  II.— 3  33 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Intention  of  enclosing  the  British  Settle- 
ments, and  cutting  us  off  from  all  Commerce 
with  the  numerous  Nations  of  Indians,  that 
are  every  where  settled  over  the  vast  Conti- 
nent of  North-America.  The  English  in 
America  have  too  good  Reason  to  apprehend 
such  a  Design,  when  they  see  the  French 
King's  Geographer  publish  a  Map,  by  which 
he  has  set  Bounds  to  the  British  Empire  in 
America,  and  has  taken  in  many  of  the  Eng- 
lish Settlements  both  in  South -Carolina  and 
New- York,  within  these  Boundaries  of  New- 
France.  And  the  good  Services  they  intend 
us,  with  the  Indians,  but  too  plainly  appears 
at  this  Day,  by  the  Indian  War  now  carried 
on  against  New-England. 

I  have  therefore  for  some  Time  past,  en- 
deavoured to  inform  myself,  from  the  Writ- 
ings of  the  French,  and  from  others  who 
have  travelled  in  Canada,  or  among  the  In- 
dians, how  far  the  People  of  this  Province 
may  carry  on  the  Indian  Trade,  with  more 
Advantage  than  the  French  can;  or  what 
Disadvantages  they  labour  under,  more  than 
the  French  do.  As  all  Endeavours  for  the 
good  of  ones  Country  are  excusable,  I  do  not 
doubt  but  my  Intention  in  this  will  be  accept- 
able to  your  Excellency,  though  I  be  not  cap- 
able of  treating  the  Subject  as  it  deserves. 

I  shall  begin  with  Canada,  and  consider 
what  Advantages  they  have  either  by  their 
34 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Situation,  or  otherwise.  Canada  is  situated 
upon  the  River  of  St.  Lawrence,  by  which 
the  five  great  Lakes  (which  may  properly  be 
called,  The  five  Inland  Seas  of  North- Amer- 
ica) empty  themselves  into  the  Ocean.  The 
Mouth  of  this  great  River  is  in  the  Lat.  of 
50  Degrees,  overagainst  the  Body  of  New- 
foundland. It  rises  from  the  Cataracui 
Lake,  (the  Easternmost  of  the  five  great 
Lakes)  about  the  Lat.  of  44  Degrees,  and 
runs  from  thence  about  North-East  to  the 
Ocean,  and  is  about  nine  hundred  Miles  in 
Length,  from  that  Lake  to  the  Ocean.  The 
five  great  Lakes  which  communicate  with 
each  other,  and  with  this  River,  extend 
about  one  thousand  Miles  Westward,  further 
into  the  Continent.  So  far  the  French  have 
already  discovered,  and  their  Discoveries 
make  it  probable,  that  an  Inland  Passage 
may  be  found  to  the  South- Sea,  by  the 
Rivers  which  run  into  these  Lakes,  and  Riv- 
ers which  run  into  the  South-Sea. 

The  Method  of  carrying  Goods  upon  the 
Rivers  of  North- America,  into  all  the  small 
Branches,  and  over  Land,  from  the  Branches 
of  one  River  to  the  Branches  of  another,  was 
learned  from  the  Indians,  and  is  the  only 
Method  practicable  through  such  large  For- 
ests and  Deserts  as  the  Traders  pass  thro',  in 
carrying  from  one  Nation  to  another,  it  is 
this ;  the  Indians  make  a  long  narrow  Boat, 
35 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

made  of  the  Bark  of  the  Birch-tree,  the  Parts 
of  which  they  join  very  neatly.  One  of  these 
Canoes  that  can  carry  a  Dozen  Men,  can  itself 
be  easily  carried  upon  two  Men's  Shoulders; 
so  that  when  they  have  gone  as  far  by  Water 
as  they  can  (which  is  further  than  is  easily 
to  be  imagined,  because  their  loaded  Canoes 
don't  sink  six  Inches  into  the  Water)  they 
unload  their  Canoes,  and  carry  both  Goods 
and  Canoes  upon  their  Shoulders  over  Land, 
into  the  nearest  Branch  of  the  River  they 
intend  to  follow.  Thus,  the  French  have  an 
easy  Communication  with  all  the  Countries 
bordering  upon  the  River  of  St.  Lawrence, 
and  its  Branches,  with  all  the  Countries  bor- 
dering upon  these  In-land  Seas,  and  the 
Rivers  which  empty  themselves  into  these 
Seas,  and  can  thereby  carry  their  Burdens  of 
Merchandize  thro'  all  these  large  Countries, 
which  could  not  by  any  other  means  than 
Water-carriage  be  carried  thro'  so  vast  a 
Tract  of  Land. 

This,  however,  but  half  finishes  the  View 
the  French  have,  as  to  their  Commerce  in 
North-America.  Many  of  the  Branches  of 
the  River  Misissippi  come  so  near  to  the 
Branches  of  several  of  the  Rivers  which 
empty  themselves  into  the  great  Lakes,  that 
in  several  Places  there  is  but  a  short  Land- 
Carriage  from  the  one  to  the  other.  As  soon 
as  they  have  got  into  the  River  Misissippi, 
36 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

they  open  to  themselves  as  large  a  Field  for 
Traffick  in  the  southern  Parts  of  North- 
America,  as  was  before  mentioned  with  re- 
spect to  the  northern  Parts.  If  one  considers 
the  Length  of  this  Eiver,  and  its  numerous 
Branches,  he  must  say,  That  by  means  of 
this  Eiver,  and  the  Lakes,  there  is  opened  to 
his  View  such  a  Scene  of  inland  Navigation 
as  cannot  be  parallel' d  in  any  other  Part  of 
the  World. 

The  French  have,  with  much  Industry,  set- 
tled small  Colonies,  and  built  stockaded  Forts 
at  all  the  considerable  Passes  between  the 
Lakes,  except  between  Cataracui  Lake  (called 
by  the  French  Ontario)  and  Lake  Erie,  one  of 
our  Five  Nations  of  Indians,  whom  we  call 
Sennekas,  (and  the  French  Sonontouans) 
having  hitherto  refused  them  leave  to  erect 
any  Buildings  there. 

The  French  have  been  indefatigable  in 
making  Discoveries,  and  carrying  on  their 
Commerce  with  Nations,  of  whom  the  Eng- 
lish know  nothing  but  what  they  see  in  the 
French  Maps  and  Books.  The  Barrenness  of 
the  Soil,  and  the  Coldness  of  the  Climate  of 
Canada,  obliges  the  greatest  number  of  the 
Inhabitants  to  seek  their  living  by  travelling 
among  the  Indians,  or  by  trading  with  those 
that  do  travel.  The  Governor,  and  other 
Officers,  have  but  a  scanty  Allowance  from 
the  King,  and  could  not  subsist  were  it  not 
37 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

by  the  Perquisites  they  have  from  this  Trade ; 
neither  could  their  Priests  find  any  means  to 
satisfy  their  Ambition  and  Luxury  without 
it :  So  that  all  Heads  and  Hands  are  employ' d 
to  advance  it,  and  the  Men  of  best  Parts  think 
it  the  surest  way  to  advance  themselves  by 
travelling  among  the  Indians,  and  learning 
their  Languages ;  even  the  Bigotry  and  En- 
thusiasm of  some  hot  Heads  has  not  been  a 
little  useful  in  advancing  this  Commerce ;  for 
that  Government  having  prudently  turn' d  the 
Edge  of  the  Zeal  of  such  hot  Spirits  upon 
converting  the  Indians,  many  of  them  have 
spent  their  Lives  under  the  greatest  Hard- 
ships, in  endeavouring  to  gain  the  Indians  to 
their  Eeligion,  and  to  love  the  French  Na- 
tion, while,  at  the  same  time,  they  are  no  less 
industrious  to  represent  the  English  as  the 
Enemies  of  Mankind.  So  that  the  whole 
Policy  of  that  Government,  both  civil  and 
religious,  is  admirably  turn'd  to  the  general 
Advancement  of  this  Trade.  Indeed  the  Art 
and  Industry  of  the  French,  especially  that 
of  their  religious  Missions,  has  so  far  pre- 
vail'd  upon  all  the  Indians  in  North- Amer- 
ica, that  they  are  every  where  directed  by 
French  Councils.  Even  our  own  Five  Na- 
tions, (the  Iroquois)  who  formerly  were  mor- 
tal Enemies  of  the  French,  and  have  always 
liv'd  in  the  strictest  Amity  with  the  English, 
have,  of  late,  (by  the  Practices  of  the  French 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Priests)  been  so  far  gain'd,  that  several  of  the 
Mohawks,  who  live  nearest  the  English,  have 
left  their  Habitations,  and  are  gone  to  settle 
near  Monreal  in  Canada ;  and  all  the  rest  dis- 
cover a  Dread  of  the  French  Power.  That 
mnch  of  this  is  truly  owing  to  the  Priests, 
appears  from  many  of  the  Sachems  of  the 
Iroquois  wearing  Crucifixes  when  they  come 
to  Albany :  And  those  Mohawk  Indians  that 
are  gone  to  Canada,  are  now  commonly 
known,  both  to  the  French  and  English,  by 
the  Name  of  The  Praying  Indians,  it  being 
customary  for  them  to  go  through  the  Streets 
of  Monreal  with  their  Beads,  praying  and 
begging  Alms. 

But  notwithstanding  all  these  Advantages, 
the  French  labour  under  Difficulties  that  no 
Art  or  Industry  can  remove.  The  Mouth  of 
the  Kiver  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  more  espec- 
ially the  Bay  of  St.  Lawrence,  lies  so  far 
North,  and  is  thereby  so  often  subject  to 
tempestuous  Weather  and  thick  Fogs,  that 
the  Navigation  there  is  very  dangerous,  and 
never  attempted  but  during  the  Summer 
Months.  The  Wideness  of  this  Bay,  to- 
gether with  the  many  strong  Currents  that 
run  in  it,  the  many  Shelves,  and  sunken 
Kocks  that  are  every  where  spread  over  both 
the  Bay  and  Kiver,  and  the  want  of  Places 
for  anchoring  in  the  Bay,  all  increase  the 
Danger  of  this  Navigation ;  so  that  a  Voyage 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  Canada  is  justly  esteem' d  much  more  dan- 
gerous than  to  any  other  Part  of  America. 
The  many  Shipwrecks  that  happen  in  this 
Navigation,  are  but  too  evident  Proofs  of  the 
Truth  of  this,  particularly  the  Miscarriage  of 
the  last  Expedition  against  Canada.  The 
Channel  is  so  difficult,  and  the  Tides  so 
strong,  that  after  their  Shipping  get  into  the 
River,  they  never  attempt  to  sail  in  the 
Night,  thoJ  the  Wind  be  fair,  and  the 
Weather  good.  These  Difficulties  are  so  con- 
siderable, that  the  French  never  attempt 
above  one  Voyage  in  a  Year  to  Europe,  or 
the  West-Indies,  tho'  it  be  really  nearer 
Europe  than  any  of  the  English  Colonies, 
where  the  Shipping  that  constantly  use  the 
Trade,  always  make  two  Voyages  in  the 
Year. 

The  Navigation  between  Quebeck  and  Mon- 
real  is  likewise  very  dangerous  and  difficult : 
The  Tide  rises  about  18  or  20  Feet  at  Que- 
beck, which  occasions  so  strong  a  Stream,  that 
a  Boat  of  six  Oars  cannot  make  way  against 
it :  The  River  in  many  Places  very  wide,  and 
the  Channel  at  the  same  time  narrow  and 
crooked ;  there  are  many  Shelves  and  sunken 
Rocks,  so  that  the  best  Pilots  have  been  de- 
ceived; for  which  reason  the  Vessels  that 
carry  Goods  to  Monreal  are  always  obliged 
to  anchor  before  Night,  tho'  both  Wind  and 
Tide  be  fair.  The  Flood  goes  no  further 
40 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

than  Trois  Kivieres,  half  way  to  Monreal, 
and  about  ninety  Miles  from  Quebeck :  After 
they  pass  this  Place  they  have  a  strong 
Stream  always  against  them,  which  requires 
a  fair  Wind  and  a  strong  Gale  to  carry  the 
Vessels  against  the  Stream.  And  they  are 
obliged  in  this  Part  of  the  River,  as  well  as 
under  the  Trois  Rivieres,  to  come  to  an 
anchor  at  Night,  though  the  Wind  be  good. 
These  Difficulties  make  the  common  Passages 
take  up  three  or  four  Weeks,  and  sometimes 
six  Weeks ;  tho'  if  they  have  the  chance  of  a 
Wind  to  continue  so  long,  they  may  run  it  in 
five  or  six  Days. 

After  they  pass  Monreal  they  have  a  strong 
Stream  against  them  till  they  come  near  the 
Lakes ;  so  that  in  all  that,  which  is  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  Miles  in  Length,  they  force 
their  Canoes  forward  with  setting  Poles,  or 
drag  them  with  Ropes  along  shoar ;  and  at 
five  or  six  different  Places  in  that  way  the 
River  falls  over  Rocks  with  such  Force,  that 
they  are  obliged  to  unload  their  Canoes,  and 
carry  them  upon  their  Shoulders.  They 
never  make  this  Voyage  from  Monreal  to 
Cataracui  in  less  than  twenty  Days,  and  fre- 
quently, twice  that  Time  is  necessary. 

Now  we  are  come  so  far  as  the  Lake,  my 

Design  leads  me  no  further,  for  at  this  Lake 

all  the  far  Indians,  that  go  to  Canada,  must 

pass  by  our  Traders.     And  from  thence  the 

41 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Road  to  the  Indian  Countries  is  the  same 
from  Albany  that.it  is  from  Monreal. 

Besides  these  difficulties  in  the  Transpor- 
tation, the  French  labour  under  greater  in  the 
purchasing  of  the  principal  Goods  proper  for 
the  Indian  Market ;  for  the  most  considerable 
and  most  valuable  Part  of  their  Cargo  consists 
in  Strouds,  Dufnls,  Blankets,  and  other  Wool- 
lens, which  are  bought  at  a  much  cheaper  Rate 
in  England  than  in  France.  The  Strouds 
(which  the  Indians  value  more  than  any- 
other  Cloathing)  are  only  made  in  England, 
and  must  be  transported  into  France  before 
they  can  be  carried  to  Canada.  Rum  is  an- 
other considerable  Branch  of  the  Indian 
Trade,  which  the  French  have  not,  by  reason 
they  have  no  Commodities  in  Canada  fit  for 
the  West  India  Market.  This  they  supply 
with  Brandy,  at  a  much  dearer  Rate  than 
Rum  can  be  purchased  at  New- York,  tho'  of 
no  more  Value  with  the  Indians.  Generally, 
all  the  Goods  used  in  the  Indian  Trade,  ex- 
cept Gun-Powder,  and  a  few  Trinkets,  are 
sold  at  Monreal  for  twice  their  Value  at  Al- 
bany. To  this  likewise  must  be  added,  the 
necesssity  they  are  under  of  laying  the  whole 
Charge  of  supporting  their  Government  on 
the  Indian  Trade.  I  am  not  particularly  in- 
formed of  their  Duties  or  Imposts,  but  I  am 
well  assured,  that  they  commonly  give  six  or 
seven  hundred  Livres  for  a  Licence  for  one 
42 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Canoe,  in  proportion  to  her  Largeness,  to  go 
with  her  Loading  into  the  Indian  Country  to 
trade. 

I  shall  next  consider  the  Advantages  the 
Inhabitants  of  New- York  have  in  carrying  on 
this  Trade.  In  the  first  place,  the  Ships  that 
constantly  use  the  Trade  to  England  perform 
their  Voyage  to  and  from  London  twice  every 
Year ;  and  those  that  go  to  Bristol  (the  Port 
from  whence  the  greatest  part  of  the  Goods 
for  the  Indian  Trade  are  exported)  frequently 
return  in  four  Months.  These  Goods  are 
bought  much  cheaper  in  England  than  in 
France :  They  are  transported  in  less  Time, 
with  less  Charge,  and  much  less  Risque,  as 
appears  by  the  Premio  for  Insurance  between 
London  and  New- York,  being  only  Two  per 
Cent.  Goods  are  easily  carried  from  New- 
York  to  Albany,  up  Hudson's  River,  the 
Distance  being  only  140  Miles,  the  River 
very  strait  all  the  way,  and  bold,  and  very 
free  from  Sandbanks,  as  well  as  Rocks;  so 
that  the  Vessels  always  sail  as  well  by  Night 
as  by  Day,  and  have  the  Advantage  of  the 
Tide  upwards  as  well  as  downwards,  the 
Flood  flowing  above  Albany.  It  may  there- 
fore be  safely  concluded,  that  all  sorts  of 
Goods  can  be  carried  to  Albany  at  a  cheaper 
Rate  than  they  can  be  to  Quebeck,  which  is 
also  three  times  further  from  the  Indian 
Country  than  Albany  is.     To  put  the  Truth 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

*>f  this  out  of  all  dispute,  I  need  only  observe 
what  is  well  knowu  both  at  New- York  and 
Albany,  viz.  That  almost  all  the  Strouds 
carried  by  the  French  into  the  Indian  Coun- 
tries, as  well  as  large  Quantities  of  other 
Goods,  for  the  Use  of  the  French  themselves, 
are]  carried  from  Albany  to  Monreal.  There 
has  been  an  Account  kept  of  nine  hundred 
Pieces  of  Strouds  transported  thither  in  one 
Year,  besides  other  Commodities  of  very  con- 
siderable Value.  The  Distance  between  Al- 
bany and  Monreal  is  about  two  hundred 
Miles,  all  by  Water,  except  twelve  Miles 
between  Hudson's  River  and  the  Wood- 
Creek,  where  they  carry  their  Bark  Canoes 
over  Land,  and  about  sixteen  Miles  between 
Chambly  and  La  Prairie,  overagainst  Mon- 
real. And  tho'  the  Passage  be  so  short  and 
easy,  these  Goods  are  generally  sold  at 
double  their  Value  in  Albany. 

But  as  this  Path  has  been  thought  ex- 
tremely prejudicial  to  the  Interest  of  this 
Colony,  I  shall  leave  it,  and  go  on  to  an- 
other, that  leads  directly  from  Albany  into 
the  Cataracui  or  Ontario  Lake,  without  going 
near  any  of  the  French  Settlements. 

From  Albany  the  Indian  Traders  commonly 
carry  their  Goods  sixteen  Miles  over  Land, 
to  the  Mohawks  River  at  Schenechtady,  the 
Charge  of  which  Carriage  is  Nine  Shillings 
New- York  Money,  or  Five  Shillings  Sterling 
44 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

each  Waggon-Load.  From  Schenechtady 
they  carry  them  in  Canoes  up  the  Mohawks 
River,  to  the  Carrying-place  between  the 
Mohawks  Eiver,  and  the  River  which  runs 
into  the  Oneida  Lake ;  which  Carrying- place 
between  is  only  three  Miles  long,  except  in 
very  dry  Weather,  when  they  are  obliged  to 
carry  them  two  Miles  further.  From  thence 
they  go  with  the  Current  down  the  Onondaga 
River  to  the  Cataracui  Lake.  The  Distance 
between  Albany  and  the  Cataracui  Lake  (this 
Way)  is  nearly  the  same  with  that  between 
Albany  and  Monreal ;  and  likewise  with  that 
between  Monreal  and  the  Cataracui  Lake,  and 
the  Passage  much  easier  than  the  last,  be- 
cause the  Stream  of  the  Mohawks  River  is 
not  near  so  strong  as  the  Cataracui  River 
between  the  Lake  and  Monreal,  and  there  is 
no  Fall  in  the  River,  save  one  short  one; 
whereas  there  are  (as  I  have  said)  at  least 
five  in  the  Cataracui  River,  where  the  Canoes 
must  be  unloaded.  Therefore  it  plainly  fol- 
lows, that  the  Indian  Goods  may  be  carried 
at  as  cheap  a  Rate  from  Albany  to  the  Cata- 
racui Lake,  as  from  Albany  to  Monreal.  So 
that  the  People  of  Albany  plainly  save  all 
the  Charge  of  carrying  Goods  two  hundred 
Miles  from  Monreal  to  that  Part  of  the 
Cataracui  Lake,  which  the  French  have  to 
carry  before  they  bring  them  to  the  same 
Placp  from  Monreal,  besides  the  Advantage 
45 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

•which  the  English  have  in  the  Price  of  their 
Goods. 

I  have  said,  That  when  we  are  in  the  Cata- 
racui  Lake,  we  are  upon  the  Level  with  the 
French,  because  here  we  can  meet  with  all 
the  Indians  that  design  to  go  to  Monreal. 
But  besides  this  Passage  by  the  Lakes,  there 
is  a  River  which  comes  from  the  Country  of 
the  Sennekas,  and  falls  into  the  Onondaga 
River,  by  which  we  have  an  easy  Carriage 
into  that  Country,  without  going  near  the 
Cataracui  Lake.  The  Head  of  this  River 
goes  near  to  Lake  Erie,  and  probably  may 
give  a  very  near  Passage  into  that  Lake, 
much  more  advantageous  than  the  Way  the 
French  are  obliged  to  take  by  the  great  Fall 
of  Jagara,  because  narrow  Rivers  are  much 
safer  for  Canoes  than  the  Lakes,  where  they 
are  obliged  to  go  ashore  if  there  be  any  Wind 
upon  the  Water.  But  as  this  Passage  de- 
pends upon  a  further  Discovery,  I  shall  say 
nothing  more  of  it  at  this  time. 

Whoever  then  considers  these  Advantages 
New- York  has  of  Canada,  in  the  first  buying 
of  their  Goods,  and  in  the  safe,  speedy,  and 
cheap  Transportation  of  them  from  Britain 
to  the  Lakes,  free  of  all  manner  of  Duty  or 
Imposts,  will  readily  agree  with  me,  that  the 
Traders  of  New- York  may  sell  their  Goods 
in  the  Indian  Countries  at  half  the  Price  the 
People  of  Canada  can,  and  reap  twice  the 
46 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Profit  they  do.  This  will  admit  of  no  Dis- 
pute with  those  that  know  that  Strouds  (the 
Staple  Indian  Commodity)  this  Year  are  sold 
for  Ten  Pounds  apiece  at  Albany,  and  at 
Monreal  for  Twenty-five  Pounds,  notwith- 
standing the  great  Quantity  of  Strouds  said 
to  be  brought  directly  into  Quebeck  from 
Prance,  and  the  Great  Quantities  that  have 
been  clandestiuely  carried  from  Albany.  It 
cannot  therefore  be  denied  that  it  is  only 
necessary  for  the  Traders  of  New- York  to 
apply  themselves  heartily  to  this  Trade,  in 
order  to  bring  it  wholly  into  their  own 
Hands ;  for  in  every  thing  besides  Diligence, 
Industry,  and  enduring  Fatigues,  the  English 
have  much  the  Advantage  of  the  French. 
And  all  the  Indians  will  certainly  buy,  where 
they  can,  at  the  cheapest  Eate. 

It  must  naturally  be  objected,  That  if 
these  things  are  true,  how  is  it  possible  that 
the  Traders  of  New- York  should  neglect  so 
considerable  and  beneficial  Trade  for  so  long 
time? 

In  answering  this  Objection,  I  shall  show 
the  Difficulties  New- York  has  labour' d  un- 
der, by  giving  a  short  History  of  the  Country, 
so  far  as  it  relates  to  this  Trade.  Which 
Method,  I  think,  can  be  liable  to  the  least 
Objection,  and  put  the  whole  in  the  truest 
Light. 

When  this  Country  (the  Province  of  New- 
47 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

York)  came  first  under  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain,  our  Five  Nations  of  Indians  were 
mortal  Enemies  o|  the  French  at  Canada,  and 
were  in  a  continual  War  with  them,  and  all 
the  Nations  of  Indians  round  the  Lakes ;  so 
that  then  it  was  not  safe  for  the  English  to 
travel  further  than  the  Countries  of  the  Five 
Nations ;  nor  would  our  Indians  permit  the 
far  Indians  (with  whom  they  had  constant 
War)  to  pass  thro'  their  Countries  to  Albany. 
Besides,  the  Five  Nations  of  Indians  were  at 
that  time  so  numerous,  (consisting  of  ten 
times  the  Number  of  fighting  Men  they  now 
do)  that  the  Trade  with  them  alone  was  very 
considerable  for  so  young  and  small  a  Col- 
ony. In  the  latter  End  of  King  Charles's 
Keign,  when  the  Duke  of  York,  and  Popish 
Councils  prevail' d,  the  Governor  of  New- 
York  (who  was  likewise  a  Papist)  had  Orders 
to  use  all  his  Endeavours  to  make  up  a  Peace 
between  our  Nations  (the  Iroquois)  and  the 
French;  and  that  he  should  persuade  the 
Five  Nations  to  admit  French  Priests  among 
them,  in  order  to  civilize  them.  The  Conse- 
quence of  which  was,  that  the  French  there- 
by obtained  a  free  Commerce  upon  the  Lakes, 
and  obtain' d  leave  to  build  Cataraqui  Fort 
upon  the  North-side  of  Cataracui  Lake,  and 
have  two  Vessels  of  Force  upon  the  same 
Lake.  From  this  Time,  during  all  King 
James's  Reign,  the  French,  whenever  they 
48 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

had  any  Differences  with  our  Five  Nations, 
threaten' d,  that  the  English  of  New- York 
would  join  with  them,  and  destroy  the  Five 
Nations ;  by  which,  and  the  Practices  of  the 
French  Priests,  our  Five  Nations  became  very 
much  alienated  in  their  Affections  from  the 
English,  and  look'd  upon  them  as  a  People 
depending  upon  the  French.  The  Conse- 
quences of  this  appeared  so  dangerous  to 
Colonel  Dungan,  the  Governor  of  New- York, 
(though,  as  I  have  said,  a  Papist)  that  he 
again  and  again  complained  to  his  Master  of 
the  ill  Offices  the  French  Priests  did  the 
English  among  our  Nations.  When  the  Eng- 
lish had  thus  procured  a  Peace  for  the  French, 
they  thought  they  might  justly  reap  some 
Advantage  from  it;  and  it's  hardly  to  be 
doubted  but  that  they  had  Promises  of  that 
kind.  They  were  therefore  encouraged  to 
send  forty  Men,  with  great  Quantities  of 
Goods,  into  the  Lakes,  under  the  Command 
of  Major  McGregory,  to  trade  with  the  far 
Nations.  At  this  time  Mr.  Denonville,  Gov- 
ernor of  Canada,  was  gathering  together  all 
the  Force  of  Canada,  and  of  the  Indians, 
(Enemies  of  the  Five  Nations)  in  order  to  sur- 
prize the  Five  Nations,  and  destroy  them,  at 
the  Time  they  thought  themselves  secure  by 
the  Peace  so  lately  made.  Major  McGre- 
gory, and  his  Company,  were  met  by  a 
French  Officer  on  Lake  Erie,  coming  with  a 
Vol.  II— 4  49 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

great  Number  of  Men  to  the  general  Eendez- 
vous  of  the  French,  and  he,  with  all  the 
English,  were  made  Prisoners.  They  were 
used  with  such  Severity  as  has  never  been 
practis'd  between  Christian  Nations  in  open 
War,  tho'  the  two  Crowns,  at  that  time,  were 
not  only  at  Peace,  but  under  the  strictest 
Ties  of  mutual  Friendship;  for  the  French 
used  these  People  as  Slaves  in  building  Ca- 
taraqui  Fort,  and  a  poor  Frenchman  that  had 
conducted  them,  was  publickly  shot  to  Death, 
as  if  he  had  brought  an  Enemy  into  their 
Country.  Such  was  their  Apprehensions 
then  of  the  English  getting  any  Footing 
among  the  Indians. 

The  French  Governor  surprized  a  Village 
of  the  Five  Nations,  who,  on  the  French 
Faith,  liv'd  in  Great  Security,  but  seven  or 
eight  Leagues  from  the  French  Fort,  and 
sent  these  miserable  People  to  the  Galleys  in 
France.  He  afterwards  fell  upon  the  Senne- 
kas,  and  burnt  their  Villages,  but  without 
any  Advantage  to  the  French,  they  having 
lost  more  Men  than  the  Indians  did.  This 
renew'  d  the  War  with  greater  Fury  than 
ever,  between  the  French  and  our  Indians. 
For  some  time  afterwards,  our  Indians,  in  a 
great  Body,  fell  upon  the  Island  of  Monreal, 
while  Mr.  Denonville  was  in  the  Town :  They 
burnt  and  destroy' d  all  the  Villages  and 
Houses  round  Monreal,  and  kill'd  some  hun- 
50 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

dreds  of  Men,  Women,  and  Children.  Af- 
terwards they  came  into  the  open  Fields  be- 
fore Monreal,  and  there  defy'd  the  French 
Governor,  who  did  not  think  it  proper  to 
fight  them.  And  when  they  had  done  all 
the  Mischief  they  could,  they  retir'd  without 
any  Loss. 

About  this  Time  the  Be volution  happen' d 
in  Great-Britain,  which  was  succeeded  by  a 
War  between  Great-Britain  and  France.  In 
February,  16|~|,  a  Party  of  three  hundred 
Men,  consisting  of  equal  Numbers  of  French 
and  Indians,  surprized  Schenechtady  in  the 
Night-time,  when  the  poor  People  were  in 
their  Beds,  in  the  greatest  Security,  where 
they  barbarously  murdered  sixty-three  Men, 
Women,  and  Children,  in  cold  Blood,  laid 
the  Village  in  Ashes,  and  then  retir'd,  with- 
out reaping  any  other  Advantage  besides  this 
cruel  Revenge  on  innocent  People,  for  the 
Mischief  our  Indians  had  done  them.  This 
rais'd  a  cruel  War  between  the  two  Colonies, 
in  which  there  was  much  Mischief  done,  and 
Blood  shed,  without  any  Advantage  to  either 
side. 

In  Time  of  this  War,  the  most  Christian 
King's  Governor  of  Canada  was  so  much 
provoked,  that  he  thought  fit  to  follow  the 
Example  of  our  barbarous  Indians,  and  burn 
his  Indian  Prisoners  alive,  in  the  most  cruel 
Manner,  in  sight  of  all  the  Inhabitants  of 
51 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Quebeck,  and  to  deliver  up  the  English  Pri- 
soners to  the  French  Indians,  who  indeed  had 
more  Mercy,  for  tjiey  kill'  d  none  of  them. 

King  William's  Peace  put  an  End  to  this 
War ;  but  the  Peace  lasted  so  short  a  while, 
that  the  People  of  this  Province  hardly  had 
time  to  re-settle  their  Earms  on  the  Fron- 
tiers, which  they  had  deserted  in  the  Time 
of  the  War,  much  less  to  adventure  trading 
in  the  Indian  Countries,  so  lately  the  Scene 
of  so  much  Cruelty.  But  both  Colonies  hav- 
ing now  an  Abhorrence  of  the  Cruelties  of  the 
last  War,  agreed  on  a  kind  of  Neutrality  for 
the  Indians,  during  Queen  Anne's  War,  in 
which  Time  we  lost  much  ground  with  our 
own  Indians :  For  the  French  having  learn'  d, 
by  dear  Experience,  that  it  was  not  possible 
for  them  to  conquer  our  Five  Indian  Nations, 
resolv'd  to  try  all  Means  to  gain  their  Affec- 
tions, and  in  this  Art  the  French  are  always 
more  successful  than  in  that  of  War ;  and  the 
English  failing  in  two  ill-concerted  Expedi- 
tions against  Canada,  the  Indians  lost  much 
of  the  Opinion  they  had  of  the  English  Power 
and  Valour. 

In  Time  of  this  last  War,  the  clandestine 
Trade  to  Monreal  began  to  be  carried  on  by 
Indians,  from  Albany  to  Monreal.  This 
gave  Rise  to  the  Kahnuaga,  or  Praying  In- 
dians, who  are  entirely  made  up  of  Deserters 
from  the  Mohawks  and  River  Indians,  and 
52 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

were  either  enticed  thither  by  the  French 
Priests,  or  by  our  Merchants,  in  order  to 
carry  Goods  from  Albany  to  Monreal,  or  run 
away  for  some  Mischief  done  here.  These 
Indians  now  consist  of  about  eighty  fighting 
Men,  and  live  about  four  Leagues  above 
Monreal:  They  neither  plant  nor  hunt,  but 
depend  chiefly  upon  this  private  Trade  for 
their  Subsistence.  These  Indians,  in  time  of 
War,  gave  the  French  Intelligence  of  all  De- 
signs here  against  them :  By  them  likewise 
the  French  engaged  our  Five  Nations  in  a 
War  with  the  Indians  Friends  of  Virginia, 
and  from  them  we  might  expect  the  greatest 
Mischief  in  Time  of  War,  seeing  every  Part 
of  the  Province  is  as  well  known  to  them  as 
to  any  of  the  Inhabitants.  But  if  this  Trade 
was  entirely  at  an  end,  we  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  these  Indians  would  return  to  their 
own  Tribes,  for  they  then  could  not  long  sub- 
sist where  they  now  are. 

As  soon  as  the  Peace  was  proclaimed,  an 
open  Trade  with  Monreal  was  carried  on  with 
such  Earnestness,  that  Monreal  was  fill'd  with 
Indian  Goods,  and  Albany  exhausted;  by 
which  means  Monreal  became  the  principal, 
if  not  the  only  Indian  Market,  and  the  In- 
dians depended  entirely  on  the  French  for 
what  they  wanted. 

Our  Merchants  were  fond  of  the  Canada 
Trade,  because  they  sold  large  Quantities  of 
53 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Goods  without  any  Trouble,  the  French  tak- 
ing them  from  their  Doors ;  whereas  the  Trade 
with  the  Indians1  is  carried  on  with  a  great 
deal  of  Toil  and  Fatigue ;  and  as  to  the  In- 
terest of  the  Country,  they  either  never 
thought  any  thing  about  it,  or  if  they  did, 
had  no  regard  to  it. 

Now  I  have  brought  this  Account  to  the 
Time  your  Excellency  arriv'd ;  what  has  hap- 
pen'd  since,  your  Excellency  knows  better 
than  I  can  by  any  means  inform  you.  From 
the  whole,  it  seems  plain,  that  any  Difficul- 
ties and  Disadvantages  this  Province  has 
been  under,  have  only  proceeded  from  the 
Wars,  which  have  continued  since  the  first 
settling  of  the  Province,  to  the  beginning  of 
the  last  general  Peace.  But  now,  that  not 
only  this  Province,  but  likewise  our  six  Na- 
tions of  Indians  are  at  Peace,  and  in  Amity, 
both  with  the  French,  and  all  the  Indian  Na- 
tions with  whom  we  can  have  any  Commerce, 
these  Difficulties  are  all  remov'd,  and  we  now 
enjoy  the  most  favourable  Time,  that  at  any 
time  can  be  hoped  for,  in  order  to  extend  the 
British  Commerce  in  North-America,  while 
the  French  not  only  labour  under  the  Diffi- 
culties which  I  have  shown  to  be  inseparable 
from  the  Situation  of  their  Colony,  but  like- 
wise under  another  Disadvantage,  (not  before 
taken  notice  of)  by  the  Furr-Trade  of  Canada 
54 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

being  restrained  to  one  Company.  This  Com- 
pany is  obliged  to  pay  heavy  Duties  in  France 
upon  the  Importation  of  Beaver,  or  any  other 
Furr;  for  which  reason  they  always  fix  a 
Price  upon  Beaver,  and  their  other  Furrs,  in 
Canada ;  and  the  Indian  Traders  of  Canada 
being  restrained  from  selling  to  any  but  the 
Company's  Agents  there,  they  cannot  raise 
the  Price  of  Indian  Goods  as  the  Price  of 
European  rise,  or  as  their  Profit  on  the 
Goods  they  sell  to  the  Indians  is  lessen' d. 

The  Merchants  of  New-York  allow  our  In- 
dian Traders  double  the  Price  for  Beaver, 
that  the  French  Company  allow  their  Indian 
Traders,  the  Price  established  by  the  Com- 
pany for  Beaver,  in  Canada,  being  two 
Livres,  or  eighteen  Pence  Sterling,  the 
Pound-weight;  and  the  current  Price  of 
Beaver  in  New-York  being  five  Shillings 
New-York  Money,  or  three  Shillings  Ster- 
ling the  Pound-weight.  Therefore  it  plainly 
follows,  that  our  Indian  Traders  could  under- 
sell the  French  Traders,  tho'  they  were  to 
give  as  great  a  Price  for  European  Goods  as 
the  French  do,  and  did  transport  them  at  as 
great  Charge,  because  of  the  double  Price 
they  have  for  their  Furrs  in  New- York. 

But  as  our  Indian  Traders  not  only  have  a 
double  Price  for  their  Indian  Goods,  but  like- 
wise buy  the  Goods  they  sell  to  the  Indians, 
at  half  the  Price  the  French  Indian  Traders 
55 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

do,  the  French  Traders  must  be  ruin'd  by- 
carrying  on  this  Trade,  in  Competition  with 
the  English  of  New-York.  And  the  French 
Indian  Traders  had  been  ruin'd  before  now, 
if  they  had  not  found  means  to  carry  their 
Beaver  to  Albany,  where  they  got  double  the 
Price  they  must  have  sold  for  in  Canada. 

It  may  be  objected,  against  this  Argument, 
That  the  Canada  Company  as  soon  as  they 
find  that  the  Traders  cannot  sell  at  their  es- 
tablished Price,  will  allow  a  greater  Price. 
But  if  we  consider  the  Duties  the  French 
Company  is  obliged  to  pay  to  the  King,  they 
cannot  allow  so  great  a  Price  as  the  English 
can  at  New-York.  And  if  it  should  be  in- 
sisted, That  the  French  Company  may  obtain 
a  Remission  of  those,  yet  if  the  clandestine 
Trade  with  Albany  be  entirely  stopt,  the 
French  Traders  will  be  ruin'd  before  such 
Remission  can  be  obtain' d,  and  their  Trade 
will  be  at  an  end. 

My  Inclination  led  me  to  show  what  Ad- 
vantages not  only  the  Indian  Trade  would 
reap  by  extending  our  Frontiers  as  far  as  the 
Lakes,  but  likewise  the  British  Trade  in 
some  other  Branches,  which  the  Parliament 
of  Great  Britain  seem  to  have  much  at  heart, 
viz.  Naval  Stores;  for  the  Soil  on  both 
Sides  of  the  Mohawks  River  being  as  rich  as 
it  is  possible  (I  believe)  for  any  Land  to  be, 
56 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

will  be  found  the  most  proper  for  raising  of 
Hemp,  of  any  Part  of  America,  and  the 
whole  Country  round  it  being  full  of  the 
largest  Pines,  the  royal  Navy  is  as  likely  to 
be  well  provided  with  Masts  there,  and  at  as 
cheap  a  rate  as  any  where  else.  But  I  have 
already  too  far  presum'don  your  Excellency's 

Patience. 

Cadwallader  Colden. 


To  this  it  may  not  be  improper  to  add  the 
following  Original  Letter. 

From  J.  A.  Esa;  to  Mr.  P.  C.  of  London, 
shewing  the  Success  of  the  Measures  taken 
at  that  Time. 

SIR,  New-  York,  1740. 

If  you  should  be  at  the  Pains  to  read  these 
printed  Papers,  it  will  be  a  Pleasure  to  you 
to  hear  of  the  Success  of  the  Measures  taken 
by  Governor  Burnet  for  redeeming  the  Indian 
Trade  out  of  the  Hands  of  the  French.  He 
has  succeeded  far  above  our  Expectations. 

Governor  Burnet,  through  his  earnest  Ap- 
plication, and  at  first  chiefly  with  his  Money, 
Credit,  and  Risque,  erected  a  Trading-House 
and  Fortification  at  the  Mouth  of  the  Onon- 
dagues  River,  called  Osneigo,  where  the  Pro- 
vince of  New- York  supports  a  Garrison  of 
57 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

Soldiers,    consisting    of    a    Lieutenant    and 
twenty  Men,  which  are  yearly  relieved. 

At  this  Place  a  very  great  Trade  is  carried 
on  with  the  remote  Indians,  who  formerly 
used  to  go  down  to  the  French  at  Monreal, 
and  there  buy  our  English  Goods,  at  second 
Hand,  at  above  twice  the  Price  they  now  pay 
for  them  at  Osneigo;  whilst,  at  the  same 
time,  the  French  were  chiefly  supplied  by 
one  Gentleman  at  New- York,  who  almost  en- 
tirely engrossed  the  Indian  Trade  of  this 
Province,  and  thereby  acquired  a  very  great 
Estate  and  Influence.  But  the  prudent  Steps 
taken  by  our  late  worthy  Governor,  to  open 
a  free  Trade,  was  the  Cause  of  the  Engross- 
er's losing  his. — The  Probability  of  doing 
this,  was  the  principal  Motive  of  our  apply- 
ing to  the  King,  which  is  shown  by  these 
printed  Papers. 

The  Indian  Trade,  to  the  great  Advantage 
of  this  Province,  is  now  divided  into  several 
hundred  Hands,  and  there  have  been  for 
many  Years  past  upwards  of  one  hundred 
young  Men  of  this  Province,  who  have  gone 
yearly  among  the  Indians,  to  supply  them 
with  our  Goods. 

By  this  means,  at  a  modest  Estimate,  I  am 
assured,  that  the  Indian  Trade  of  this  Pro- 
vince is  now  far  above  five  times  as  much  as 
when  Governor  Burnet  began  to  put  his 
Scheme  in  execution. 

58 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

And  this  is  not  all  the  Advantages  reaped 
thereby,  but  a  much  more  considerable  one 
to  this,  and  all  the  other  English  Colonies  is, 
that  not  only  our  own  six  Nations,  but  also 
many  far  and  remote  Indian  Nations  are 
drawn  off  from  their  Dependance  on  the 
French,  and  made,  by  Trade  and  Intercourse, 
dependant  on  the  English ;  by  this  means  a 
great  Security  and  Protection  is  acquired  by 
the  English,  in  case  of  a  War  with  France ; 
and  by  this  Trade  our  Settlements  in  this 
Province  are  extended  up  to  the  Onondagues 
Carrying-Place,  which  is  now  well  attended 
with  Waggons,  for  the  more  commodious 
transporting  of  Goods  to  trade  in  the  Lakes. 

And  they  are  now  settling  on  the  Branches 
of  Sasquehanah  River ;  and  from  the  western 
Branches  of  this  River,  there  is  but  a  small 
Land-Carriage  to  Allegheny,  a  Branch  of 
that  great  River  Misissippi;  which  Branch 
extending  a  thousand  Miles  from  its  Mouth, 
where  it  enters  the  said  River;  and  which 
joins  so  near  to  our  Settlements,  as  is  above 
taken  notice  of,  opens  us  a  Trade  to  that  vast 
Country,  called  by  the  French  Louisiana, 
which  they  possess  on  the  Misissippi. 

I  am,  Sir,  Your  humble  Servant, 

J.  A. 


59 


THE 

TREATY 

HELD     WITH     THE 

INDIANS 

OF     THE 

SIX        NATIONS, 

AT 

PHILADELPHIA, 

In     JVLT,     1742. 


THE 

TREATY,    &  c. 

The  Deputies  of  the  six  Nations  having, 
at  their  last  Visit,  agreed  to  release  their 
Claim  to  all  the  Land  on  both  Sides  of  the 
River  Sasquehanah,  as  far  South  as  this  Pro- 
vince extends,  and  to  the  Northward  to  those 
called  the  Endless  Mountains,  or  Kittoch- 
tinny  Hills;  in  Consideration  whereof,  they 
then  received  a  large  Quantity  of  valuable 
Indian  Goods  for  the  Lands  situate  on  the 
Eastern  Side  of  the  said  River,  but  declined 
at  that  Time  to  receive  any  for  those  on  the 
Western  Side  of  the  said  River,  chusing  to 
defer  the  same  till  another  Visit;  a  large 
Number  arrived  from  these  Nations  at  Phil- 
adelphia, on  Wednesday  the  30th  of  June, 
with  Deputies  duly  impowered  to  receive  the 
said  Goods;  and  acquainted  the  Governor, 
that  being  weary  from  the  Fatigue  of  their 
long  Journey,  they  should  crave  three  or 
four  Days  to  rest  themselves  before  they  pro- 
ceeded to  their  Business :  In  the  mean  time 
they  would  wait  on  the  Governor  to  dis- 
course, according  to  their  usual  Method, 
no 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

about  News  and  other  Occurrences;  which 
the  Governor  readily  agreed  to,  and  ask'd 
them  when  they  would  chuse  to  pay  their 
first  Visit ;  which  they  desiring  might  be  on 
Friday  the  2d  of  July,  in  the  Afternoon,  the 
Council  was  accordingly  summon' d,  and  met 
at  Mr.  Logan's  House,  where  were 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan, 
Clement  Plumsted, 
Samuel  Hasell, 
Abraham  Taylor, 
Samuel  Preston, 
Thomas  Lawrence, 
Ralph  Asheton, 
Robert  Strettell, 

The  Chiefs  of  the   Six   Nations,  with  the 

Chiefs  of  the  Shawanese. 

CANASSATEEGO,   the     Onondago    Chief, 

Speaker. 

CONRAD   WEISER,  Interpreter. 

The  Governor  opened  the  Conference   as 
follows. 

BRETHREN, 

"  The  Proprietor  having  purchased  certain 
Lands  from   your  Nations  about  six  Years 
64 


Esqrs ; 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ago,  a  Moiety  of  what  was  agreed  to  be  given 
in  Consideration  of  that  Purchase  was  at  that 
Time  delivered  to  them,  and  the  other  being 
at  their  Desire  left  in  the  Proprietor's  Hands, 
he  pressed  you  by  Shikalamy  to  send  last 
Year  for  it,  and  would  have  been  glad  to 
have  seen  you,  and  taken  you  by  the  Hand 
before  his  Departure.  But  as  the  Design  of 
this  Meeting  is  to  hear  your  News,  and  eon- 
verse  together  in  a  free  and  friendly  Manner, 
I  shall  say  no  more  about  the  Goods  than 
that  they  lie  ready  at  the  Proprietor's  House, 
and  will  be  delivered  when  you  shall  have 
sufficiently  rested  from  the  Fatigue  of  your 
Journey. " 

The  Chief  of  the  Onondagoes  spoke. 

BRETHREN, 

"  We  propose  to  rest  four  Days,  and  then 
come  to  the  main  Business.  At  present  we 
are  at  a  private  Conference  about  News,  and 
have  something  of  this  sort  to  mention  to  our 
Brother  Onas."  And  on  the  Governor's  sig- 
nifying they  would  be  glad  to  know  what  it 
was,  the  Chief  proceeded. 

"BRETHREN, 

"It  is   our  Way  when  we  come  to  our 
Brethren,  or  any  other  Persons,  whom  we 
live  in  strict  Friendship  with,  to  remove  all 
Vol.  II.— 5  65 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Obstructions  to  a  good  Understanding ;  with 
this  View  we  are  to  inform  you  of  a  Piece  of 
disagreeable  News  that  happened  in  our  Jour- 
ney.  Some  White  People  living  at  a  Place 

called  Conegocheegoe,  whose  Names  we  can- 
not tell,  nor  whether  they  belong  to  this  or 
the  neighbouring  Government,  but  one  of 
them,  as  we  heard,  had  his  House  burnt  over 
his  Head  some  Years  ago,  and  he  was  brought 
down  a  Prisoner  and  committed  to  the  Goal 
of  this  City:  These  People  lighting  of  our 
young  Warriors,  as  they  were  hunting,  made 
some  Proposals  about  the  Purchasing  of  Land 
from  them,  and  our  young  Men  being  indis- 
creet, and  unacquainted  with  publick  Busi- 
ness, were  foolish  enough  to  hearken  to  them, 
and  to  receive  five  Dufnl  Strowds  for  two 
Plantations  on  the  Eiver  Cohongoronto.  A 
Conestogoe  Indian,  and  a  French  Indian,  and 
some  others  that  were  in  Company,  had  three 
Duftil  Strowds,  and  went  away  with  them; 
and  our  young  Men  carried  off  the  other  two. 
As  soon  as  this  came  to  our  Knowledge,  we 
sent  for  our  Warriors,  and  after  examining 
and  rebuking  them  severely,  we  took  away 
their  two  Strowds,  and  publickly  censured 
them  for  exposing  us  to  our  Brethren  of 
Pensylvania,  in  doing  a  Thing  so  inconsis- 
tent with  our  Engagements  to  them ;  '  You 
are,  said  we  aloud,  that  all  our  People  might 
hear  and  take  Notice,  to  know  and  remem- 
66 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ber,  that  the  Six  Nations  have  obliged  them- 
selves to  sell  none  of  the  Land  that  falls 
within  the  Province  of  Pensylvania,  to  any 
other  but  our  Brother  Onas,  and  that  to  sell 
Lands  to  any  other  is  an  high  Breach  of  the 
League  of  Friendship. '  Brethren,  this  rash 
Proceeding  of  our  young  Men  makes  us 
ashamed.  We  always  mean  well,  and  shall 
perform  faithfully  what  we  have  promised : 
And  we  assure  you,  this  Affair  was  trans- 
acted in  the  Manner  we  have  related,  with- 
out our  Privity  or  Consent.  And  that  you 
may  be  fully  convinced  of  this,  and  of  the 
Sincerity  of  our  Intentions,  we  have  brought 
you  these  two  Strowds  [here  he  presented 
two  red  Strowds  to  the  Governor]  they  are 
the  very  Strowds  our  foolish  young  Men  re- 
ceived; we  took  them  from  them,  and  we 
give  them  to  you  to  return  to  those  white 
People  who  made  the  Bargain,  and  desire 
when  the  Strowds  are  returned  to  them,  they 
may  be  told  what  we  now  say,  and  that  we 
shall  not  confirm  such  Bargains,  nor  any 
other  that  may  interfere  with  our  Engage- 
ments to  our  Brother  Onas." 

The  Governor  then  spoke : 

"BRETHREN, 

"  I  thank  you  for  this  Piece  of  News ;  you 
have  taken  this  Matter  perfectly  right.     All 
67 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Bargaining  for  Land  within  this  Province,  is, 
to  be  sure,  a  manifest  Breach  of  your  Con- 
tract with  the  Proprietors,  and  what  we 
know  you  will  not  countenance.  We  have 
hitherto  found  the  Six  Nations  faithful  to 
their  Engagements,  and  this  is  a  fresh  In- 
stance of  their  Punctuality.  You  could  not 
help  these  Mistakes  of  your  young  Men ;  they 
were  not  done  in  your  Presence :  But  as  sev- 
eral Inconveniencies  may  arise  from  these 
kind  of  clandestine  Sales,  or  from  any  such 
loose  Sales  of  Land  by  your  People,  we  de- 
sire you  will,  on  your  Eeturn  home,  give 
publick  Notice  to  all  your  Warriors  not  to 
bargain  for  any  Land;  or  if  they  do,  that 
you  will  not  confirm  such  Bargains ;  and 
that  this  very  Affair,  together  with  what 
you  have  done  therein,  may  be  particularly 
reported  to  all  your  Nation  assembled  in 
Council." 

The  Onondago  Chief  promised  to  give  such 
publick  Notice ;  and  desiring  Liberty  to  mend 
his  former  Speech,  he  proceeded : 

"BRETHREN, 

"  I  forgot  one  Circumstance :  Our  People, 
who  pretended  to  sell  the  Land,  demanded  a 
Belt  of  Wampum  of  the  Buyers  to  carry  to 
their  Chiefs ;  and  on  their  declaring  they  had 
no  Wampum,  our  Warriors  said,  they  would 
not  answer  that  their  Chiefs  would  confirm 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

this  Bargain,  since  they  never  did  any  thing 
of  this  Nature  without  Wampum." 

The  Governor,  after  a  short  Pause,  spoke : 

"  BRETHREN  of the  Six  Nations, 

" 1  take  this  Opportunity  to  relate  to  you 
a  Piece  of  disagreeable  News  I  received  some 
Days  ago  in  a  Letter  from  Le  Tort,  the  In- 
dian Trader,  at  Allegheny,  who  says,  'That 
in  May  last  some  Indians  of  the  Taway  Na- 
tion, supposed  by  us  to  be  the  Twightwees, 
in  their  Eeturn  from  War,  called  and  staid 
some  Time  with  the  Shawanese ;  who  being 
asked,  and  denying  they  had  brought  either 
Scalps  or  Prisoners,  the  Shawanese  suspect- 
ing them,  had  the  Curiosity  to  search  their 
Bags,  and  finding  two  Scalps  in  them,  that 
by  the  Softness  of  the  Hair  did  not  feel  like 
Indian  Scalps,  they  wash'd  them  clean,  and 
found  them  to  be  the  Scalps  of  some  Chris- 
tians. On  this  Discovery,  the  Twightwees 
were  so  much  ashamed,  that  they  stole  away 
from  their  Town  in  the  Night  time ;  and  com- 
ing, as  they  afterwards  understood,  to  a  little 
Village  belonging  to  the  Shawanese,  they  told 
our  People  that  their  Hearts  were  full  of 
Grief;  for,  as  they  came  along  the  Eoad, 
they  found  it  all  bloody;  and  having  good 
Cause  to  believe  it  was  made  bloody  with  the 
Blood  of  some  of  the  white  Brethren,  they 
69 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

had  very  sorrowfully  swept  the  Eoad;  and 
desired  them  to  inform  the  Governor  of  Pen- 
silvania  of  their  (the  Twightwees)  Grief; 
and  how  they  had  swept  the  Road  clean. ' 
Le  Tort  adds,  on  Behalf  of  the  Shawanese, 
*  That  they  were  much  grieved  at  this  unfor- 
tunate Accident ;  and  prayed,  as  they  had  no 
Concern  in  it,  more  than  by  being  Instru- 
ments to  discover  it,  their  Brethren  would 
not  blame  them,  nor  suffer  a  Misunderstand- 
ing to  arise  between  them  on  this  Account : 
They  would  sweep  the  Road  clean,  and  wipe 
all  the  Blood  away ;  and  desired  their  Breth- 
ren would  be  satisfied  with  this,  and  not 
weep  too  much  for  a  Misfortune  that  might 
not  happen  again  as  long  as  the  Sun  and 
Moon  shone.' 

"  The  Person  who  delivered  me  Le  Tort's 
Letter,  brought  this  Bundle  of  Skins  as  a 
Present  to  me ;  but  I  told  the  Messenger,  I 
would  not  meddle  with  it ;  he  might  leave  it 
if  he  pleased:  The  Affair  appear' d  to  me  in 
a  bad  Light,  and  I  would  represent  it  to  the 
Six  Nations,  who  were  expected  in  Town 
every  Day.  This  is  the  Fact,  as  I  have  it 
from  Le  Tort:  I  desire  to  be  informed  if  you 
know  any  thing  of  this  Matter ;  and  if  you 
do  not,  that  you  will  make  diligent  Enquiry 
who  committed  the  Murder,  and  who  are  the 
unhappy  Sufferers,  and  assist  us  to  obtain 
Satisfaction,  if  it  shall  appear  to  be  any,  of 
70 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

our  Fellow- Subjects  that  have  been  treated 
in  this  Manner." 

To  inf orce  this  Request,  I  present  you  with 
this  String  of  Wampum. 

The  Onondago  Chief,  in  Reply,  said : 

BRETHREN, 

"  We  take  this  Information  kindly  at  your 
Hands ;  we  will  take  this  String  of  Wampum 
home  with  us  to  our  Lodgings,  and  there 
consult  about  the  most  regular  and  proper 
Steps  to  be  taken  by  us  to  answer  your  Ex- 
pectations, and  when  we  have  duly  consid- 
ered the  Matter,  we  will  return  you  an 
Answer." 

Upon  this  the  Governor  put  an  End  to  the 
Conference ;  and  calling  for  Wine,  and  other 
Liquors,  according  to  the  Indian  Custom, 
after  a  decent  and  chearful  Entertainment, 
the  Indians  withdrew. 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  at  the  Proprietor's 
House,  July  5,  1742. 

PRESENT 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan,  ) 

Clement  Plumsted,  f      ^     ' 

With  several  Gentlemen  of  the  Town. 

The  Chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations. 
71 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

It  being  judg'd  proper,  at  this  critical 
Time,  when  we  are  in  daily  Expectation  of  a 
French  War,  to  sound  the  Indians,  and  dis- 
cover what  Dependance  we  might  have  on 
them,  in  case  their  Aid  should  be  wanted,  an 
handsome  Dinner  was  provided  for  their 
Chiefs ;  and  after  they  had  made  an  hearty 
Meal,  and  drank  his  Majesty's  Health,  the 
Proprietors,  and  the  Health  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, the  Chiefs  gave  the  solemn  Cry,  in 
Testimony  of  their  Thanks  for  the  Honour 
done  them.  And  soon  after  the  Governor 
began,  in  a  free  Way,  to  enquire  for  what 
Eeason  the  Senecas  were  not  come  down, 
since  they  had  an  equal  Share  of  the  Goods 

with  the  other  Nations. Canassateego, 

their  Speaker,  said,  "The  Senecas  were  in 
great  Distress,  on  Account  of  a  Famine  that 
raged  in  their  Country,  which  had  reduced 
them  to  such  Want,  that  a  Father  had  been 
obliged  to  kill  two  of  his  Children  to  preserve 
his  own,  and  the  rest  of  his  Family's  Lives; 
and  they  could  not  now  come  down,  but  had 
given  Directions  about  their  Share  of  the 
Goods." The  Governor  express'd  his  Con- 
cern for  the  unhappy  Circumstances  of  their 
Brethren  of  the  Seneca  Nation ;  and,  after  a 
short  Respite,  enquired  if  any  of  their  Depu 
ties  were  then  at  Canada,  and  whether  the 
French  Governor  was  making  any  warlike 
Preparations.  And  on  their  answering  Yes, 
72 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  Governor  said,  with  a  smiling,  pleasant 
Countenance,  "I  suppose,  if  the  French 
should  go  to  War  with  us,  you  will  join 
them."  The  Indians  conferr'd  together  for 
some  Time,    and    then   Canassateego,   in   a 

chearful  lively  Manner,   made   answer. 

"We  assure  you,  the  Governor  of  Canada 
pays  our  Nations  great  Court  at  this  Time, 
well  knowing  of  what  Consequence  we  are  to 
the  French  Interest :  He  has  already  told  us, 
he  was  uncovering  the  Hatchet,  and  sharpen- 
ing it,  and  hoped,  if  he  should  be  obliged  to 
lift  it  up  against  the  English,  our  Nations 
would  remain  neuter,  and  assist  neither  Side. 

But  we  will  now  speak  plainly  to  our 

Brethren:  Why  should  we,  who  are  one 
Flesh  with  you,  refuse  to  help  you,  when- 
ever you  want  our  Assistance? We  have 

continued  a  long  Time  in  the  strictest  League 
of  Amity  and  Friendship  with  you,  and  we 
shall  always  be  faithful  and  true  to  you  our 

old   and   good  Allies. The   Governor  of 

Canada  talks  a  great   deal,  but  ten  of  his 

Words  do  not  go  so  far  as  one  of  yours. 

We  do  not  look  towards  them;  we  look 
towards  you;  and  you  may  depend  on  our 
Assistance."  Whilst  the  Onondago  Chief 
made  this  open  and  hearty  Declaration,  all 
the  other  Indians  made  frequently  that  par- 
ticular Kind  of  Noise  which  is  known  to  be 

a  Mark  of  Approbation. The   Governor 

73 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

bid  the  Interpreter  tell  Canassateego,  "He 
did  not  set  on  foot  this  Enquiry  from  any 
Suspicion  he  had  of  the  Six  Nations  wanting 
a  due  Regard  for  the  English. — Our  Experi- 
ence of  their  Honour  and  Faith,  said  he, 
would  not  permit  us  to  think  any  other  of 
them,  than  that  they  would  esteem  our 
Friends  their  Friends,  and  our  Enemies  their 
Enemies,  agreeable  to  the  strict  Union  which 
had  ever  subsisted  between  us. — As  to  the 
Governor  of  Canada,  he  told  them  they  need 
not  mind  what  he  said. — The  English,  on 
equal  Terms,  had  beat  the  French,  and  could 
beat  them  again :  And  were  they  but  to  con- 
sider the  Advantages  which  the  English 
have,  by  possessing  so  many  large  and  popu- 
lous Countries,  and  so  many  good  Ports  on 
the  Continent  of  America,  they  would  soon 
see  who  had  most  Reason  to  fear  a  War,  the 
French  or  the  English." 

Here  the  Conversation  dropped ;  and  after 
another  Glass  of  Wine,  the  Indians  resumed 
the  Discourse,  by  asking  whether  their  Breth- 
ren had  not  been  for  some  Time  engaged  in 
a  War  with  the  King  of  Spain,  and  what 
Successes  they  had  met  with. 

The   Governor    told  them,   the   King   of 

Great-Britain  lived  in  an  Island,  and  being 

surrounded  with  the  Sea,  his  chief  Strength 

lay  in  his  Ships ;  in  which  he  was  so  much 

74 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

superior  to  his  Enemies,  that  they  were  sel- 
dom to  be  met  with  on  the  broad  Ocean,  but 
sculk'd  and  hid  themselves,  only  venturing 
out  now  and  then ;  and  whenever  they  did, 
they  were  almost  sure  to  be  taken ;  and  that 
the  King  of  Great-Britain  had  with  his  Ships, 
beat  down,  or  taken  several  of  the  Spaniards 
great  Forts  in  America. — The  Indians  said, 
they  were  pleased  to  hear  their  Brethren 
were  an  Over-match  for  their  Enemies,  and 
wish'd  them  good  Success. 

The  Governor  then  enquired  into  the  State 
and  condition  of  the  Nations  to  the  West- 
ward of  the  Great  Lakes,  and  whether  they 
had  any  Warriours  then  in  those  Countries? 
Whether  they  had  concluded  Peace  with  the 
Southern  Indians?  And  whether  they  had 
heard  what  their  Deputies  had  done  at 
Albany? 

They  made  Answer :  That  they  had  always 
Abundance  of  their  Men  out  amongst  the 
Nations  situate  to  the  West  of  their  Lakes. 
— That  they  had  kindled  a  Fire  with  a  vast 
many  Nations,  some  whereof  were  Tribu- 
taries, and  they  had  a  good  Understanding 
with  all. — They  set  out  from  their  own  Coun- 
try in  Company  with  two  Sets  of  Deputies, 
one  going  to  hold  a  Treaty  with  the  Southern 
Indians,  and  they  believed  a  Peace  would  be 
concluded :  The  other  going  to  meet  the  Gov- 
ernor of  New- York,  at  Albany;  but  they 
75 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


could  not  tell  what  had  been  done  at  either 
Place. — On  their  return,  they  were  to  hold  a 
General  Council,  and  would  inform  their 
Brethren  of  these  Particulars. 

Then  the  Governor  put  an  End  to  the  Con- 
ference, by  telling  the  Indians  the  Goods 
would  be  delivered  to  them  at  a  Council  to 
be  held  To-mororw  Afternoon  at  the  Meet- 
ing-House. 

At  a  Council  held  in  the  Meeting-House, 
Philadelphia,  July  6,  1742. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan, 
Clement  Plumsted, 
Abraham  Taylor, 
Samuel  Preston, 
Ralph  Asheton, 
Robert  Strettell, 

CANASSATEEGO,  Chief  of  the  Onondagoes, 
Speaker. 

Shicalamy,  and  a  great  Number  of  Indians, 
whose  Names  are  as  follows,  viz. 


Esqrs ; 


ONONTOGOES. 


Sawegaty, 
Caxhayi 


ion,  J 


Counsellors. 


Saguyassatha, 
Kayadoghratie,  alias 

Slanaghquasy, 
Rotier-uwughton, 


76 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


Tokaughaah, 

Tiorughwaghthe, 

Tokano-ungoh, 

Aronty-oony, 

Tohanohawighton, 

Tioghwatoony, 

Auughrahysey. 


j 


CAIYOQUOS. 

Sahugh-sowa, 
Tohatgaghthus 

Chiefs. 

Tokany-esus, 
Runho-hihio, 
Kanadoghary, 
Zior-aghquaty, 
Sagu-i  ughwatha, 

alias  Cadcaxadasey, 
Sca-yenties, 
Tats-heghteh, 
Alligh-waheis, 
Tayo-quario, 
Hogli  degh  nintu, 
Rotehn    Haghtyack- 

on,  Captain. 
Sawoalieselhohaa, 
Sagughsa-eck, 
Uwantakeraa, 
Horuhot, 


Osoghquaa, 
Tuyanoegon. 

ANOYIUTS,    or 
ONEIDAS. 

Saristaquoh, 
Ungquaterug- 

hiathe,  alias 

Shikelimo, 

Chiefs. 

Tottowakerha, 
Taraghkoerus, 
Onughkallydawwy,  a 
noted  young  Chief. 
Onughnaxqua,  Chief 
Tawyiakaarat, 
Tohathuyongochtha, 
Sughnakaarat, 
Taghneghdoerus, 
Tokanyiadaroeyon, 
Sagogughyatha, 
Rahehius, 
Tokanusoegon. 

JENONTOWANOS, 

or  SENECAS. 

Karugh.   iagh    Ragh- 

quy,  Captain. 
Tahn  heentus, 
Onontyiack. 


77 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


TUSCARROROS. 

Sawontka,         ") ; 
Ti-ieroes,  > 

Cloghsytowax,  J 

Chiefs. 

Tokaryhoegon,  Cap- 
tain. 

Oghioghseh, 

Tieleghweghson, 

Tougrotha, 

Yorughianego, 

Ot-quehig, 

Squaghky, 

Sayadyio, 

Onughsowughton, 

Cherigh  wastho, 

Aghsunteries, 

Tion  ogh  scoghtha, 

Saligh  wanaghson, 

Ohn-w&asey, 

Tocar-eher  [died 
since  at  Tulpeho- 
kin. 

Tohanatakqua, 

Kanyhaag. 

SHAWANOES. 

Wehwehlaky,   Chief. 
Aset  teywa, 
Asoghqua, 


Maya  minickysy, 
Wawyia  Beeseny. 
Canestogo       Indians 
that     speak      the 
Onay  hit's      Lan- 
guage. 
Tior  Haasery,  Chief. 
Tanigh  wackerau, 
Karha  Cawyiat, 
Kay  en  quily  quo. 


CANOYIAS,  or 
NANTIKOKES, 
of  Canestogo. 

Des-seheg, 
Ichqua  que  heck, 
Quesamaag, 
Ayiok-ius. 


DELAWARES  of 

Shamokin. 

Olumapies,      ) 
Lingehanoah,  ) 

Chiefs. 

Kelly  macquan, 
Quitie-yquont, 
Pishquiton, 
Nena  chy  haut. 


78 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


DELAWARES  from 
the  Forks. 

Onutpe, 

Lawye  quohwon, 
alias  Nutimus, 

Chiefs. 

Toweghkappy. 


Cornel.    Spring,  and 

others. 
Conrad    Weiser, 

Cornelius  Spring, 

Interpreters. 
And  a  great  Number 

of  the  Inhabitants 

of  Philadelphia. 


The  Governor  having  commanded  Silence, 
spoke  as  follows  : 

"  Friends  and  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations, 

"  Six  Years  ago  a  Number  of  your  Chiefs 
obliged  us  with  a  Visit,  when  they  agreed  on 
Behalf  of  your  Nations,  to  the  Release  of 
certain  Lands  on  both  Sides  the  River  Sas- 
quehannah,  to  the  Southward  of  the  Endless- 
Mountains,  and  within  the  Limits  and  Bounds 
of  the  King's  Grant  of  this  Province.  In 
Consideration  of  which,  a  certain  Quantity 
of  Goods  was  agreed  on,  and  delivered  as  a 
full  Satisfaction  for  the  said  Lands,  lying  on 
the  Eastern  Side  of  the  said  River :  And  for 
the  Lands  on  the  Western  Side  of  the  said 
River,  you  desired  the  Payment  should  be 
deferred  till  another  Opportunity.  These 
Goods,  which  are  exactly  the  same  in  Quan- 
tity, as  those  you  received  the  last  Time  the 
Chiefs  of  your  Nations  were  here,  have  been 
ready  a  considerable  Time,  and  kept  in  Ex- 
79 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

pectation  of  your  coming  for  them:  And 
now  you  are  come  down,  fully  impowered  by 
your  respective  Councils  to  receive  them,  we 
are  well  pleased  to  deliver  them ;  leaving  it 
to  you  to  make  a  fair  and  equal  Division  of 
them  amongst  yourselves.  We  are  sorry  for 
the  Absence  of  our  Brethren  the  Senecas, 
and  much  more  so,  that  it  should  be  owing 
to  their  Distress  at  Home  by  a  Famine  that 
rages  in  their  Country : — A  Famine  so  great, 
that  you  tell  us  a  Father  has  been  obliged  to 
sacrifice  one  Part  of  his  Family,  even  his  own 
Children,  for  the  Support  and  Preservation 
of  himself,  and  the  other  Part. — We  heartily 
commiserate  their  Condition,  and  do  not 
doubt  but  you  will  do  them  fair  and  ample 
Justice  in  the  Disposal  of  their  Part  of  the 
Goods,  in  such  Manner  as  they  have  in- 
structed you.  You  shall  now  hear  the  List 
of  the  Goods  read  to  you." 

Here,  by  the  Governor's  Order,  the  List  of 
the  Goods  was  read  over,  viz. 


500  Pounds  of  Powder. 
600  Pounds  of  Lead. 

45  Guns. 

60  Strowd-Matchcoats. 
100  Blankets. 
100  Duffil  Matchcoats. 
200  Yards  Half -thick. 
100  Shirts. 

40  Hats. 

40  Pair  Shoes  &  Buckles 


40  Pair  Stockings. 
100  Hatchets. 
500  Knives. 
100  Hoes. 

60  Kettles. 
100  Tobacco-Tongs. 
100  Scissars. 
500  Awl-Blades. 
120  Combs. 
2000  Needles. 


80 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


1000  Flints. 
24  Looking-Glasses. 
2  Pounds  of  Vermil- 
ion. 
100  Tin-Pots. 


1000  Tobacco-Pipes. 
200  Pounds  of  Tobacco. 

24  Dozen    of    Garter- 

ing, and 

25  Gallons  of  Rum. 


Then  the  Governor  told  them  that  the 
Goods,  of  which  the  Particulars  had  been 
just  read  to  thern,  were  in  the  Meeting-House, 
and  would  be  sent  to  whatever  Place  they 
would  direct. 

The  Governor  then  proceeded : 

BRETHREN, 

"  You  have  often  heard  of  the  Care  that 
your  great  and  good  Friend  and  Brother 
William  Penn,  took  at  all  Times  to  cultivate 
a  perfect  good  Harmony  with  all  the  Indians : 
Of  these  your  Nations  have  ever  been  fully 
sensible;  but  more  especially  a  Number  of 
your  Chiefs,  about  ten  Years  ago,  when  on 
the  Arrival  of  a  Son  of  your  said  great  Friend 
William  Penn,  large  and  valuable  Presents 
were  exchanged  by  us  with  you ;  a  new  Road 
was  made  and  clear' d;  anew  Fire  kindled; 
and  the  Chain  of  Friendship  made  stronger, 
so  as  to  last  while  the  Sun  and  Moon  endure. 

"  And  now  we  cannot  but  congratulate  our- 
selves, that  your  coming  should  happen  at  a 
Time,  when  we  are  in  daily  Expectation  of  a 
War  being  declared  between  the  King  of 
England,  and  the  French  King,  well  knowing 
Vol.  II.— 6  81 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

that  should  such  a  War  happen,  it  must  very 
sensibly  affect  you,  considering  your  Situa- 
tion in  the  Neighbourhood  of  Canada.  Your 
coming  at  this  Juncture  is  particularly  for- 
tunate, since  it  gives  us  an  Opportunity  of 
mentioning  several  Things  that  may  be  neces- 
sary to  be  settled,  between  People  so  strictly 
and  closely  united  as  we  are. — An  Union  not 
to  be  expressed  by  any  Thing  less,  than  the 
affectionate  Regards  which  Children  of  the 
same  Parents  bear  for  each  other,  as  conceiv- 
ing ourselves  to  be  one  Flesh  and  one  People. 

"  The  utmost  Care  therefore  ought  mutu- 
ally to  be  taken  by  us  on  both  Sides,  that 
the  Road  between  us  be  kept  perfectly  clear 
and  open,  and  no  Lets  nor  the  least  Obstruc- 
tion be  suffered  to  lie  in  the  Way ;  or  if  any 
should  by  Accident  be  found,  that  may  hinder 
our  free  Intercourse  and  Correspondence,  it 
must  forthwith  be  removed. 

To  inforce  this,  we  lay  down  a  String  of 
Wampum. 

"  In  the  next  Place,  we,  on  our  Part,  shall 
inlarge  our  Fire  that  burns  between  us.  We 
shall  provide  more  Fewel  to  increase  it,  and 
make  it  burn  brighter  and  clearer,  and  give  a 
stronger  and  more  lasting  Light  and  Warmth. 

In  Evidence  of  our  sincere  Intentions,  we 
lay  down  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

"  In  the  last  Place,  considering  the  Obliga- 
tions we  are  mutually  under  by  our  several 
82 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Treaties,  'That  we  should  hear  with  our  Ears 
for  you,  and  you  hear  with  your  Ears  for  us.' 
We  shall  at  Times  very  willingly  give  you 
the  earliest  and  best  Intelligence,  of  any  De- 
signs that  may  be  form'd  to  your  Disad- 
vantage.— And  if  you  discover  any  Prepara- 
tions that  can  hurt  us,  we  desire  you  will 
immediately  dispatch  some  suitable  Person 
in  whom  we  can  place  a  Confidence,  to  give 
us  a  proper  Information. 

To  inforce  this  Request,  as  well  as  to 
brighten  the  Chain,  we  lay  down  this  other 
Belt  of  Wampum. 

On  the  Governor's  concluding  the  Speech, 
the  solemn  Cry  by  Way  of  Approbation  was 
repeated  by  the  Indians,  as  many  Times  as 
there  were  Nations  present ;  and  then  Canas- 
sateego  rose  up  and  spoke. 

BRETHREN, 

"We  thank  you  for  your  kind  Speech: 
What  you  have  said  is  very  agreeable  to  us ; 
and  To-morrow  when  we  have  deliberated  on 
the  several  Matters  recommended  to  us,  we 
will  give  you  our  Answer.  We  desire,  as  our 
Time  will  be  wholly  taken  up  in  Council,  you 
will  order  the  Goods  to  be  carried  back  to 
the  Proprietaries  to  prevent  their  being  lost, 
and  that  they  may  continue  there  till  we  call 
for  them." 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

At  a  Council  held  in  the  Meeting-House, 
July  7,  1742. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 

Lieutenant-Governor. 
James  Logan,  Samuel  Preston, "] 

Thomas  Lawrence,  Samuel  Hasell,     > Esqrs ; 
Abraham  Taylor,     Robert  Strettell,  J 

CANASSATEEGO's   Speech   on  Behalf  of 
the  Six  Nations. 

"BRETHREN,  the  Governor  and  Council, 
and  all  present, 
"  According  to  our  Promise  we  now  propose 
to  return  you  an  Answer  to  the  several 
Things  mentioned  to  us  Yesterday,  and  shall 
beg  Leave  to  speak  to  publick  Affairs  first, 
tho'  they  were  what  you  spoke  to  last.  On 
this  Head  you  Yesterday  put  us  in  Mind, 
first,  "Of  William  Penn's  early  and  constant 
Care  to  cultivate  Friendship  with  all  the  In- 
dians ;  of  the  Treaty  we  held  with  one  of  his 
Sons,  about  ten  Years  ago ;  and  of  the  Neces- 
sity there  is  at  this  Time  of  keeping  the 
Roads  between  us  clear  and  free  from  all 
Obstructions.  We  are  all  very  sensible  of 
the  kind  Regard  that  good  Man  William 
Penn  had  for  all  the  Indians,  and  cannot  but 
be  pleased  to  find  that  his  Children  have  the 
same.  We  well  remember  the  Treaty  you 
84 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

mention  held  with  his  Son  on  his  Arrival 
here,  by  which  we  confirmed  our  League  of 
Friendship,  that  is  to  last  as  long  as  the  Sun 
and  Moon  endure:  In  Consequence  of  this, 
we,  on  our  Part,  shall  preserve  the  Eoad  free 
from  all  Incumbrances;  in  Confirmation 
whereof  we  lay  down  this  String  of  Wampum. 
"You  in  the  next  Place  said  you  would 
enlarge  the  Fire  and  make  it  burn  brighter, 
which  we  are  pleased  to  hear  you  mention ; 
and  assure  you,  we  shall  do  the  same,  by 
adding  to  it  more  Fewel,  that  it  may  still 
flame  out  more  strongly  than  ever:  In  the 
last  Place,  you  were  pleased  to  say  that  we 
are  bound  by  the  strictest  Leagues,  to  watch 
for  each  others  Preservation ;  that  we  should 
hear  with  our  Ears  for  you,  and  you  hear 
with  your  Ears  for  us :  This  is  equally  agree- 
able to  us ;  and  we  shall  not  fail  to  give  you 
early  Intelligence,  whenever  any  Thing  of 
Consequence  comes  to  our  Knowledge :  And 
to  encourage  you  to  do  the  same,  and  to 
nourish  in  your  Hearts  what  you  have  spoke 
to  us  with  your  Tongues,  about  the  Renewal 
of  our  Amity  and  the  Brightening  of  the 
Chain  of  Friendship;  we  confirm  what  we 
have  said  with  another  Belt  of  Wampum." 

"BRETHREN, 

"  We  received  from  the  Proprietors  Yester- 
day, some  Goods  in  Consideration  of  our  Re- 

85 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

lease  of  the  Lands  on  the  West-side  of  Sas- 
qnehannah.  It  is  true,  we  have  the  full 
Quantity  according  to  Agreement ;  but  if  the 
Proprietor  had  been  here  himself,  we  think, 
in  Regard  of  our  Numbers  and  Poverty,  he 
would  have  made  an  Addition  to  them. — If 
the  Goods  were  only  to  be  divided  amongst 
the  Indians  present,  a  single  Person  would 
have  but  a  small  Portion ;  but  if  you  consider 
what  Numbers  are  left  behind,  equally  en- 
titled with  us  to  a  Share,  there  will  be  ex- 
tremely little.  We  therefore  desire,  if  you 
have  the  Keys  of  the  Proprietor's  Chest,  you 
will  open  it,  and  take  out  a  little  more  for  us. 
"We  know  our  Lands  are  now  become 
more  valuable :  The  white  People  think  we 
do  not  know  their  Value ;  but  we  are  sensible 
that  the  Land  is  everlasting,  and  the  few 
Goods  we  receive  for  it  are  soon  worn  out 
and  gone.  For  the  future,  we  will  sell  no 
Lands  but  when  Brother  Onas  is  in  the 
Country ;  and  we  will  know  beforehand,  the 
Quantity  of  the  Goods  we  are  to  receive. 
Besides,  we  are  not  well  used  with  respect 
to  the  Lands  still  unsold  by  us.  Your  Peo- 
ple daily  settle  on  these  Lands,  and  spoil  our 
Hunting. — We  must  insist  on  your  removing 
them,  as  you  know  they  have  no  Right  to 
settle  to  the  Northward  of  Kittochtinny- 
Hills. — In  particular,  we  renew  our  Com- 
plaints against  some  People  who  are  settled 
86 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

at  Juniata,  a  Branch  of  Sasquahannah,  and 
all  along  the  Banks  of  that  River,  as  far  as 
Mahaniay ;  and  desire  they  may  be  forthwith 
made  to  go  off  the  Land,  for  they  do  great 
Damage  to  our  Cousins  the  Delawares. 

"  We  have  further  to  observe,  with  respect 
to  the  Lands  lying  on  the  West-side  of  Sas- 
quahannah, that  though  Brother  Onas  (mean- 
ing the  Proprietor)  has  paid  us  for  what  his 
People  possess,  yet  some  Parts  of  that  Coun- 
try have  been  taken  up  by  Persons,  whose 
Place  of  Residence  is  to  the  South  of  this 
Province,  from  whom  we  have  never  received 
any  Consideration.  This  Affair  was  recom- 
mended to  you  by  our  Chiefs  at  our  last 
Treaty ;  and  you  then,  at  our  earnest  Desire, 
promised  to  write  a  Letter  to  that  Person 
who  has  the  Authority  over  those  People, 
and  to  procure  us  his  Answer :  As  we  have 
never  heard  from  you  on  this  Head,  we  want 
to  know  what  you  have  done  in  it.  If  you 
have  not  done  any  Thing,  we  now  renew  our 
Request,  and  desire  you  will  inform  the  Per- 
son whose  People  are  seated  on  our  Lands, 
that  that  Country  belongs  to  us,  in  Right  of 
Conquest;  we  having  bought  it  with  our 
Blood,  and  taken  it  from  our  Enemies  in  fair 
War ;  and  we  expect,  as  Owners  of  that  Land, 
to  receive  such  a  Consideration  for  it  as  the 
Land  is  worth.  We  desire  you  will  press 
him  to  send  a  positive  Answer :  Let  him  say 
87 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Yes  or  No:  If  he  says  Yes,  we  will  treat 
with  him. ;  if  No,  ;we  are  able  to  do  ourselves 
Justice ;  and  we  will  do  it,  by  going  to  take 
Payment  ourselves. 

"  It  is  customary  with  us  to  make  a  Pres- 
ent of  Skins,  whenever  we  renew  our  Treaties. 
We  are  ashamed  to  offer  our  Brethren  so  few, 
but  your  Horses  and  Cows  have  eat  the  Grass 
our  Deer  used  to  feed  on.  This  has  made 
them  scarce,  and  will,  we  hope,  plead  in  Ex- 
cuse for  our  not  bringing  a  larger  Quantity. 
If  we  could  have  spared  more,  we  would  have 
given  more ;  but  we  are  really  poor ;  and  de- 
sire you'll  not  consider  the  Quantity,  but 
few  as  they  are,  accept  them  in  Testimony  of 
our  Regard." 

Here  they  gave  the  Governor  a  Bundle  of 
Skins. 

The  Governor  immediately  replied. 

"BRETHREN, 

"  We  thank  you  for  the  many  Declarations 
of  Respect  you  have  given  us,  in  this  solemn 
Renewal  of  our  Treaties:  We  receive,  and 
shall  keep  your  String  and  Belts  of  Wampum, 
as  Pledges  of  your  Sincerity,  and  desire  those 
we  gave  you  may  be  carefully  preserved,  as 
Testimonies  of  ours. 

"  In  anwer  to  what  you  say  about  the  Pro- 
prietaries.— They  are  all  absent,  and  have 
taken  the  Keys  of  their  Chest  with  them ;  so 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

that  we  cannot,  on  their  Behalf,  enlarge  the 
Quantity  of  Goods:  Were  they  here,  they 
might  perhaps,  be  more  generous;  but  we 
cannot  be  liberal  for  them. — The  Government 
will,  however,  take  your  Request  into  Con- 
sideration ;  andinEegardto  your  Poverty,  may 
perhaps  make  you  a  Present.  I  but  just  mention 
this  now,  intending  to  refer  this  Part  of  your 
Speech  to  be  answered  at  our  next  Meeting. 

"  The  Number  of  Guns,  as  well  as  every 
Thing  else,  answers  exactly  with  the  Particu- 
lars specified  in  your  Deed  of  Conveyance, 
which  is  more  than  was  agreed  to  be  given 
you.  It  was  your  own  Sentiments,  that  the 
Lands  on  the  West-side  of  Sasquahannah, 
were  not  so  valuable  as  those  on  the  East; 
and  an  Abatement  was  to  be  made,  propor- 
tionable to  the  Difference  in  Value :  But  the 
Proprietor  overlooked  this,  and  ordered  the 
full  Quantity  to  be  delivered,  which  you  will 
look  on  as  a  Favour. 

"  It  is  very  true,  that  Lands  are  of  late 
become  more  valuable ;  but  what  raises  their 
Value?  Is  it  not  entirely  owing  to  the  In- 
dustry and  Labour  used  by  the  white  People, 
in  their  Cultivation  and  Improvement?  Had 
not  they  come  amongst  you,  these  Lands 
would  have  been  of  no  Use  to  you,  any 
further  than  to  maintain  you.  And  is  there 
not,  now  you  have  sold  so  much,  enough  left 
for  all  the  Purposes  of  Living? — What  you 
89 


THE  HISTORY   OF  THE 

say  of  the  Goods,  that  they  are  soon  worn 
out,  is  applicable^  to  every  Thing ;  but  you 
know  very  well,  that  they  cost  a  great  deal 
of  Money ;  and  the  Value  of  Land  is  no  more, 
than  it  is  worth  in  Money. 

"  On  your  former  Complaints  against  Peo- 
ple's  settling  the  Lands  on  Juniata,  and  from 
thence  all  along  on  the  River  Sasquahannah  as 
far  as  Mahaniahy,  some  Magistrates  were  sent 
expressly  to  remove  them,  and  we  thought 
no  Persons  would  presume  to  stay  after  that.  * 

Here  they  interrupted  the  Governor,  and 
said : — 

"  These  Persons  who  were  sent  did  not  do 
their  Duty :  So  far  from  removing  the  Peo- 
ple, they  made  Surveys  for  themselves,  and 
they  are  in  League  with  the  Trespassers. 
We  desire  more  effectual  Methods  may  be 
used,  and  honester  Persons  employed." 

Which  the  Governor  promised,  and  then 
proceeded : 

"BRETHREN, 

"According  to  the  Promise  made  at  our 
last  Treaty  with  you,  Mr.  Logan,  who  was 
at  that  Time  President,  did  write  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Maryland,  that  he  might  make  you 
Satisfaction  for  such  of  your  Lands  as  his 
People  had  taken  up,  but  did  not  receive  one 
Word  from  him  upon  that  Head.  I  will 
write  to  him  again,  and  endeavour  to  procure 
90 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

you  a  satisfactory  Answer.  We  do  not  doubt 
but  he  will  do  you  Justice :  But  we  exhort 
you  to  be  careful  not  to  exercise  any  Acts  of 
Violence  towards  his  People,  as  they  like- 
wise are  our  Brethren,  and  Subjects  of  the 
same  great  King;  and  therefore  Violence 
towards  them,  must  be  productive  of  very 
evil  Consequences. 

"  I  shall  conclude  what  I  have  to  say  at 
this  Time,  with  Acknowledgments  for  your 
Present ;  which  is  very  agreeable  to  us,  from 
the  Expressions  of  Eegard  used  by  you  in 
Presenting  it :  Gifts  of  this  Nature  receiving 
their  Value  from  the  Affection  of  the  Giver, 
and  not  from  the  Quantity  or  Price  of  the 
Thing  given." 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  at  Philadelphia,  July 
8,  1742. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan, 
Clement  Plumsted, 
Samuel  Hasell, 
Abraham  Taylor, 
Samuel  Preston, 
Thomas  Lawrence, 
Ralph  Asheton, 
Robert  Strettell, 
91 


►  Esq 


rs 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

The  Board  taking  into  Consideration, 
whether  it  be  proper  or  not  at  this  Time,  to 
make  a  Present  to  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions now  in  Town,  in  Return  for  their  Pres- 
ent to  this  Government  at  Yesterday's  Treaty ; 
Resolved, 

That  it  is  highly  fit  and  proper  that  a 
Present  be  made  to  the  said  Indians  at  this 
Time. 

And  it  is  the  Opinion  of  this  Board,  that 
the  said  Present  should  be  of  the  Value  of 
5001.  or  at  least  3001. 

And  it  is  recommended  to  Mr.  Logan,  Mr. 
Preston,  and  Mr.  Lawrence,  to  acquaint  Mr. 
Kinsey,  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  with 
the  Opinion  of  this  Board ;  and  that  they  re- 
quest him  to  confer  with  such  other  Members 
of  Assembly  as  are  in  Town,  and  report  their 
Sentiments  thereupon. 

The  Board  taking  into  Consideration  the 
Threats  expressed  by  the  Indians,  at  the 
Treaty  Yesterday  against  the  Inhabitants  of 
Maryland,  settled  on  certain  Lands  on  the 
West-side  of  Sasquahannah,  which  the  Indi- 
ans claim,  and  for  which  they  require  Satis- 
faction; and  considering,  that  should  those 
Threats,  in  any  Sort  be  put  in  Execution,  not 
only  the  Inhabitants  of  Maryland,  but  of  this 
Government,  and  all  his  Majesty's  Subjects 
on  the  Northern  Continent  of  America,  may 
thereby  be  involved  in  much  Trouble :  It  is 
92 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  Opinion  of  this  Board,  that  the  Governor 
write  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland  without 
Delay,  to  inform  him  of  the  Indians  Com- 
plaints and  Threats,  and  to  request  a  satis- 
factory Answer ;  and  that  his  Letter  be  sent 
by  a  special  Messenger,  at  the  publick  Ex- 
pence. 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  July  9,  1742. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan, 
Clement  Plumsted, 
Samuel  Hasell, 
Robert  Strettell, 
Samuel  Preston, 
Ralph  Asheton, 
Thomas  Lawrence, 
Mr.  Peters. 

The  Governor  informed  the  Board,  that 
the  Indian  Chiefs  dining  with  him  Yester- 
day, after  Dinner  delivered  their  Answer  to 
two  Affairs  of  Consequence : 

The  first  related  to  the  violent  Battery 
committed  on  William  Webb,  in  the  Porks 
of  Delaware,  whereby  his  Jaw-bone  was 
broke,  and  his  Life  greatly  endangered,  by 
an  unknown  Indian.  Canassatego  repeating 
the  Message  delivered  to  the  Six  Nations  by 
93 


Esqrs ; 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Shickcalamy,  in  the  Year  1740,  with  a  String 
of  Wampum,  sai(l  in  Answer:  'The  Six  Na- 
tions had  made  diligent  Enquiry  into  the 
Affair,  and  had  found  out  the  Indian  who 
had  committed  the  Fact ;  he  lived  near  Aso- 
pus,  and  had  been  examined  and  severely  re- 
prov'd:  And  they  hoped,  as  William  Webb 
was  recovered,  the  Governor  would  not  ex- 
pect any  further  Punishment ;  and  therefore 
they  returned  the  String  of  Wampum  received 
from  their  Brethren,  by  the  Hand  of  Shick- 
calamy, in  Token  that  they  had  fully  com- 
plied with  their  Request. ' 

I  thank' d  them,  said  he,  for  their  Care; 
but  reminded  them,  that  though  the  Man  did 
not  die,  yet  he  lay  a  long  Time  in  extreme 
Misery,  and  would  never  recover  the  free  Use 
of  his  Speech,  and  was  rendered  less  able  to 
get  his  Livelihood;  and  in  such  Cases  the 
English  Laws  obliged  the  Assailant  to  make 
good  all  Damages,  besides  paying  for  the 
Pain  endured. — But  as  the  Indian  was,  in  all 
Probability,  poor  and  unable  to  make  Satis- 
faction, I  told  them,  that  for  their  Sake  I 
would  forgive  him ;  adding,  had  Webb  died, 
I  make  no  doubt  but  you  would  have  put  the 
Indian  to  Death,  just  as  we  did  two  of  our 
People  who  had  killed  an  Indian ;  we  caused 
them  to  be  hung  on  a  Gallows,  in  the  Pres- 
ence of  many  Hundreds  of  our  People,  to 
deter  all  others  from  doing  the  like.  Canas- 
94 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

satego  made  me  this  Reply:  'The  Indian', 
know  no  Punishment  but  Death ;  they  ha V. 
no  such  Thing  as  pecuniary  Mulcts ;  if  a  Man 
be  guilty  of  a  Crime,  he  is  either  put  to 
Death,  or  the  Fault  is  overlook' d.  We  have 
often  heard  of  your  Hanging-up  those  two 
Persons ;  but  as  none  of  our  Indians  saw  the 
Men  die,  many  believe  they  were  not  hanged, 
but  transported  to  some  other  Colony :  And 
it  would  be  satisfactory  to  the  Indians,  if, 
for  the  future,  some  of  them  be  sent  for,  to 
be  Witnesses  of  such  Executions. '  I  assured 
them,  that  whoever  gave  them  that  Informa- 
tion, abused  them ;  for  the  Persons  certainly 
suffered  Death,  and  in  the  Presence  of  all  the 
People. 

Canassatego  then  proceeded  to  give  an  An- 
swer to  what  was  said  to  them  the  2d  Instant, 
relating  to  Le  Tort's  Letter :  'That  they  had, 
in  Council,  considered  in  what  Manner  the 
Matter  recommended  to  them  ought  to  be 
conducted ;  and  they  were  of  Opinion,  that 
as  the  Shawanese,  not  the  Twightwys  (for 
they  knew  so  much  of  it,  that  the  People 
were  of  the  Twightwy  Nation  in  whose  Bags 
the  Scalps  were  found)  had  sent  me  a  Present 
of  Skins,  I  should  in  return,  send  them  a 
Blanket  or  a  Kettle,  and  with  it  a  very  sharp 
Message,  that  tho'  they  had  done  well  in 
sweeping  the  Road  from  Blood,  yet  that  was 
but  a  small  Part  of  their  Duty ;  they  ought 
95 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

not  to  have  suffered  the  Twightwys,  after 
their  Lye  and  the  Discovery  of  the  Scalps, 
to  have  left  them,  'till  they  had  given  a  full 
and  true  Account  how  they  came  by  them, 
whose  Scalps  they  were,  and  in  what  Place, 
and  for  what  Reason  the  Men  were  kill'd; 
and  when  they  had  been  fully  satisfied  of  all 
these  Particulars,  then  it  was  their  Duty  to 
have  given  Information  to  the  Government 
where  the  white  People  lived,  that  the  Mur- 
derers might  be  complained  against,  and  pun- 
ished by  the  Nation  they  belonged  to :  And 
as  the  Shawanese  had  omitted  to  perform  the 
Part  of  Brethren,  that  I  should  reprove  them 
for  it,  and  charge  them  to  make  Amends  for 
their  Neglect,  by  using  all  possible  Expedition 
to  come  at  the  Knowledge  of  these  Things, 
and  to  aid  their  Brethren  the  white  people  in 
obtaining  Justice. 

The  Minutes  of  the  preceding  Council 
being  read,  Mr.  Logan,  in  pursuance  of  the 
Board's  Direction  of  Yesterday,  reported,  on 
behalf  of  himself,  and  the  other  Gentlemen 
to  whom  it  was  recommended,  that  they  had 
confer' d  with  Mr.  Kinsey,  and  requested 
him  to  consult  the  other  Members  of  the 
Assembly  concerning  the  making  a  Present  to 
the  Indians;  and  that  Mr.  Kinsey  having 
collected  the  Sentiments  of  several  Members 
of  the  Assembly  in  Town,  whom  he  had  con- 
fer'd  with  on  that  Subject,  found  them  gen- 
96 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

erally  of  Opinion,  that  a  Present  should  at 
this  Time  be  made ;  but  that  they  had  de- 
clined nominating  any  Sum :  However,  that 
Mr.  Kinsey  had  given  it  as  his  own  Opinion, 
that  the  Governor  and  Council  might  go  as 
far  as  three  hundred  Pounds. 

And  accordingly  it  is  refer' d  to  Mr.  Logan, 
Mr.  Preston,  and  Mr.  Lawrence,  to  consider 
of,  and  prepare  a  proper  List  of  the  Goods 
whereof  the  Present  should  be  composed,  to 
the  Value  of  three  hundred  Pounds,  as  afore- 
said ;  advising  with  the  Interpreter  as  to  the 
Quantity  and  Quality. 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  at  the  Proprietor's, 
the  9th  of  July,  P.M.  1742. 

PRESENT 
The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 

Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan,        Robert  Strettell,  } 

Samuel  Preston,    Abraham  Taylor,  J        "     ' 

The  C  H I E  F  S   of  the  Six  Nations. 

S  A  S  S  0  0  N  A  N ,  and  the  Delawares. 

N  U  T I M  U  S  ,  and  the  Fork-Indians. 

CONRAD   WEISER,  Interpreter. 

The  Governor  spoke  to  the  Chiefs  of  the  Six 

Nations,  as  follows : 

"BRETHREN, 

"  The  last  Time  the  Chiefs  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions were  here,  they  were  informed,  that 
Vol.  II— 7  97 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

your  Cousins,  a  Branch  of  the  Delawares, 
gave  this  Province  some  Disturbance  about 
the  Lands  the  Proprietor  purchased  from 
them,  and  for  which  their  Ancestors  had  re- 
ceived a  valuable  Consideration  above  fifty- 
five  Years  ago,  as  appears  by  a  Deed  now 
lying  on  the  Table. — Sometime  after  this, 
Conrad  Wesier  delivered  to  your  Brother 
Thomas  Penn  your  Letter,  wherein  you  re- 
quest of  him,  and  James  Logan,  that  they 
would  not  buy  Land,  &c. — This  has  been 
shewn  to  them  and  interpreted;  notwith- 
standing which  they  have  continued  their 
former  Disturbances,  and  have  had  the  Inso- 
lence to  write  Letters  to  some  of  the  Magis- 
trates of  this  Government,  wherein  they 
have  abused  your  good  Brethren,  our  worthy 
Proprietaries,  and  treated  them  with  the 
utmost  Eudeness  and  Ill-Manners.  Being 
loth,  from  our  regard  to  you,  to  punish 
them  as  they  deserve,  I  sent  two  Messen- 
gers to  inform  them  that  you  were  expected 
here,  and  should  be  acquainted  with  their 
Behaviour. — As  you,  on  all  Occasions,  apply 
to  us  to  remove  all  white  People  that 
are  settled  on  Lands  before  they  are  pur- 
chased from  you,  and  we  do  our  Endeavours 
to  turn  such  People  off;  we  now  expect 
from  you,  that  you  will  cause  these  Indians 
to  remove  from  the  Lands  in  the  Forks 
of    Delaware,    and    not    give    any    further 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Disturbance  to  the  Persons  who  are  now  in 
Possession." 

To  inforce  this  we  lay  down  a  String  of 
Wampum. 

Then  were  read  the  several  Conveyances, 
the  Paragraph  of  the  Letter  wrote  by  the 
Chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  relating  to  the 
Delawares ;  the  Letters  of  the  Fork-Indians 
to  the  Governor  and  Mr.  Langhorne,  and  a 
Draught  of  the  Land ;  these  were  then  deliv- 
ered to  Conrad  Weiser,  who  was  desired  to 
interpret  them  to  the  Chiefs,  when  they 
should  take  this  Affair  into  their  Considera- 
tion. 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  July  10,  1742. 

PRESENT 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor. 


James  Logan,  Samuel  Preston, 

Clement  Plnmsted,  Samuel  Hasell, 
Thomas  Lawrence,  Robert  Strettell 
Abraham  Taylor, 


•I 


Esqrs 


The   Governor  laid  before  the  Board  an 

Extract  from  the  Treaty  held  here  the  7th 

Instant  with  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations, 

so  far  as  it  related  to  the  Inhabitants  of 

99 


THE  HISTORY,  OF  THE 

Maryland ;  as  also  a  Letter  he  had  prepared 
for  the  Governorvof  Maryland  npon  that  Sub- 
ject; both  of  which  being  approved,  were 
ordered  to  be  transcribed  fair,  in  order  to  be 
dispatch' d  the  following  Morning.  The  Let- 
ter was  as  follows : 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1742. 
SIB, 

THE  inclosed  Extract  of  the  Speech  made 
by  the  Chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations,  be- 
fore a  very  numerous  Audience,  in  this  Place, 
with  my  Answer  to  it,  is  of  so  great  Import- 
ance to  all  his  Majesty's  Colonies  in  this 
Part  of  his  Dominions,  and  to  your  Govern- 
ment in  particular,  that  I  have  employ' d  a 
special  Messenger  to  deliver  it  you.  I  hope 
you  will  enable  me  to  send  them  a  satisfac- 
tory Answer.  It  would  be  impertinent  in 
me  to  say  more  to  one  so  well  informed  as 
you  are  of  these  Nations,  and  of  their  abso- 
lute Authority  over  all  the  Indians  bordering 
upon  us,  or  of  the  Advantages  of  maintain- 
ing a  strict  Friendship  with  them  at  all 
Times,  but  more  especially  at  this  critical 
Juncture. 

I  am,  Yours,  &c. 

An  Account  exhibited  by  Conard  Weiser 
of  his  Expences  upon  the  Indians,  and  Indian 
Affairs,  from  February  last  to  July  1,  1742, 
100 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

amounting  to  361. 18s.  3d.  was  laid  before  the 
Board,  and  examined,  and  allows  to  be  a 
just  and  very  moderate  Account. 

And  the  Board  taking  into  Consideration 
the  many  signal  Services  performed  by  the 
said  Conrad  Weiser  to  this  Government,  his 
Diligence  and  Labour  in  the  Service  thereof, 
and  his  Skill  in  the  Indian  Languages  and 
Methods  of  Business,  are  of  Opinion,  that  the 
said  Conrad  should  be  allowed,  as  a  Keward 
from  the  Province  at  this  Time,  the  Sum  of 
Thirty  Pounds,  at  least,  besides  Payment  of 
his  said  Account. 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  at  the  Great  Meeting- 
House,  July  10.  P.  M.  1742. 

PRESENT 

The  Honourable  GEORGE   THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan,  Samuel  Preston,  *) 

Thomas  Lawrence,  Samuel  Hasell,  I  Esqrs ; 
Abraham  Taylor,    Robert  Strettell,  J 

CANASSATEGO,    )  And  other 
SHICKCALAMY,  f  Indian  Chiefs. 

CONRAD    WEISER,  Interpreter. 

And  a  great  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of 

Philadelphia. 

101 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

The  Governor  spoke  to  the  Indians  as  fol- 
lows :  ■ 

"BRETHREN, 

"  This  Meeting  will  be  short :  It  is  in  order 
to  make  you  a  Present  from  the  Governor, 
the  Council,  the  Assembly,  and  all  our 
People.  William  Penn  was  known  to  you 
to  be  a  good  and  faithful  Friend  to  all 
the  Indians :  He  made  a  League  of  Friend- 
ship with  you,  by  which  we  became  one 
People.  This  League  has  often  since 
been  renew' d  by  friendly  Treaties;  and 
as  you  have  declared  that  the  Friendship 
shall  always  last  on  your  Parts,  so  we 
would  have  you  believe  that  it  shall  remain 
inviolable  on  ours  while  the  Sun  and  Moon 
endure. 

"  I  gave  you  some  Expectation  of  a  Present, 
and  we  have  it  now  ready  to  deliver  to  you. 
This  Present  is  made  you  by  the  Governor, 
Council,  Assembly,  and  all  our  People,  in 
Consideration  of  the  great  Miseries  and  Dis- 
tresses which  you  our  good  Friends  have 
lately  suffered.  This  will  be  some  Eelief  to 
you  for  the  present,  and  it's  to  be  hoped  your 
own  Industry  will  soon  retrieve  your  Circum- 
stances. 

"It  has  sometimes  happened,  and  may 
happen  again,  that  idle  and  untrue  Stories 
are  carried  to  you  concerning  us  your  Breth- 
102 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ren ;  but  our  Desire  is,  and  we  expect  it  from 
you,  that  you  will  give  no  Credit  to  them; 
for  we  are,  and  always  will  be,  your  steady 
and  sincere  Friends. 

"  It  is  a  Custom  when  we  renew  our  Trea- 
ties with  our  good  Friends  the  Indians, 
to  clear  the  Road,  and  make  our  Fire 
burn  bright:  We  have  done  so  upon  this 
Occasion;  and,  in  Token  of  our  Sincerity, 
we  deliver  you,  as  a  Present  from  the 
Governor,  the  Council,  the  Assembly,  and 
all  the  People  of  Pensylvania,  the  following 
Goods,  viz. 

24  Guns.  60  Hoes. 
600  Pounds  of  Lead.         50  Hatchets. 

600  Pounds  of  Powder.      5  Pounds  of  Vermilion. 

25  Strowdes   )  Match-  10  Dozen  of  Knives. 
90  Duffil         \  Coats.      8  Dozen  of  Gimblets. 
30  Blankets.  2  Dozen    of    Tobacco- 
62  Yards    of     Half-  Tongs. 

Thicks.  25  Pair  of  Shoes. 

60  Ruffled  Shirts.  25  Pair  of  Stockings. 

25  Hats.  25  Pair  of  Buckles. 
1,000  Flints. 

Whereupon  the  Chiefs,  and  all  the  Indians, 
returned  their  solemn  Thanks;  and  Canas- 
satego  said,  "  They  had  no  more  to  say  as  to 
publick  Business  at  present;  but  they  had 
somewhat  under  Deliberation,  which,  when 
they  had  duly  considered,  they  would  com- 
municate. 

103 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


At  a  COUNCIL  vheld  at  the  Proprietor's, 
July  12,  1742. 

PRESENT 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan,  "| 

Thomas  Lawrence, 

Robert  Strettell,  y  Esqrs ; 

Clement  Plumsted, 

Abraham  Taylor,        J 

Mr.  Richard  Peters. 

CANASSATEGO,    }  And  sundry  Chiefs  of 

SHICKCALAMY,    J        the  Six  Nations. 

SASSOONAN,  and  the  Delawares. 

NUTTIMUS,  and  the  Fork-Indians. 

CONRAD   WEISER,  Interpreter. 

Pisquetoman,  "1  T  ,  ,, 

_    *  _.      _     .  Interpreters  to  the 

Cornelius  Spring,    >^    ,   ,    ,. 

Nicholas  Scull,       J 

CANASSATEGO  said: 

"BRETHREN,  the  Governor  and  Council, 

"  The  other  Day  you  informed  us  of  the 
Misbehaviour  of  our  Cousins  the  Delawares, 
with  respect  to  their  continuing  to  claim, 
and  refusing  to  remove  from  some  Land  on 
the  River  Delaware,  notwithstanding  their 
Ancestors  had  sold  it  by  a  Deed  under  their 
104 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Hands  and  Seals  to  the  Proprietaries,  for  a 
valuable  Consideration,  upwards  of  fifty 
Years  ago;  and  notwithstanding  that,  they 
themselves  had  also  not  many  Years  ago,  after 
a  long  and  full  Examination,  ratified  that 
Deed  of  their  Ancestors,  and  given  a  fresh  one 
under  their  Hands  and  Seals ;  and  then  you 
requested  us  to  remove  them,  inforcing  your 
Bequest  with  a  String  of  Wampum. — After- 
wards we  laid  on  the  Table  our  own  Letters 
by  Conrad  Weiser;  some  of  our  Cousins 
Letters,  and  the  several  Writings  to  prove 
the  Charge  against  our  Cousins,  with  a 
Draught  of  the  Land  in  Dispute. — We  now 
tell  you,  we  have  perused  all  these  several 
Papers:  We  see  with  our  own  Eyes,  that 
they  have  been  a  very  unruly  People,  and  are 
altogether  in  the  Wrong  in  their  Dealings 
with  you. — We  have  concluded  to  remove 
them,  and  oblige  them  to  go  over  the  Eiver 
Delaware,  and  quit  all  Claim  to  any  Lands 
on  this  Side  for  the  future,  since  they  have 
received  Pay  for  them,  and  it  is  gone  thro* 
their  Guts  long  ago. — To  confirm  to  you  that 
we  will  see  your  Request  executed,  we  lay 
down  this  String  of  Wampum  in  return  for 
yours." 

Then  turning  to  the  Delawares,  holding  a 
Belt  of  Wampum  in  his  Hand,  he  spoke  to 
them  as  follows : 

105 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"COUSINS, 

"  Let  this  Belt  of  Wampum  serve  to  chas- 
tise you.  You  ought  to  be  takeu  by  the  Hair 
of  the  Head  and  shaked  severely,  till  you 
recover  your  Senses  and  become  sober.  You 
don't  know  what  Ground  you  stand  on,  nor 
what  you  are  doing.  Our  Brother  Onas's 
Cause  is  very  just  and  plain,  and  his  Inten- 
tions are  to  preserve  Friendship.  On  the 
other  Hand,  your  Cause  is  bad ;  your  Heart 
far  from  being  upright ;  and  you  are  mali- 
ciously bent  to  break  the  Chain  of  Friendship 
with  our  Brother  Onas,  and  his  People.  We 
have  seen  with  our  Eyes  a  Deed  sign'd  by 
nine  of  your  Ancestors  above  fifty  Years  ago 
for  this  very  Land,  and  a  Eelease  sign'd, 
not  many  Years  since,  by  some  of  yourselves 
and  Chiefs  now  living,  to  the  Number  of  fif- 
teen or  upwards. — But  how  came  you  to  take 
upon  you  to  sell  Land  at  all?  We  conquered 
you;  we  made  Women  of  you;  you  know 
you  are  Women,  and  can  no  more  sell  Land 
than  Women ;  nor  is  it  fit  you  should  have 
the  Power  of  selling  Lands,  since  you  would 
abuse  it.  This  Land  that  you  claim  is  gone 
thro'  your  Guts;  you  have  been  furnished 
with  Cloaths,  Meat,  and  Drink,  by  the  Goods 
paid  you  for  it,  and  now  you  want  it  again, 
like  Children  as  you  are. — But  what  makes 
you  sell  Land  in  the  Dark?  Did  you  ever 
tell  us  that  you  had  sold  this  Land?  Did  we 
106 


1 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ever  receive  any  Part,  even  the  Value  of  a 
Pipe-Shank,  from  you  for  it?  You  have  told 
us  a  blind  Story,  that  you  sent  a  Messenger 
to  us  to  inform  us  of  the  Sale,  but  he  never 
came  amongst  us,  nor  we  never  heard  any 
thing  about  it. — This  is  acting  in  the  Dark, 
and  very  different  from  the  Conduct  our  Six 
Nations  observe  in  the  Sales  of  Land;  on 
such  Occasions  they  give  publick  Notice,  and 
invite  all  the  Indians  of  their  united  Nations, 
and  give  them  all  a  share  of  the  Present  they 
receive  for  their  Lands. — This  is  the  Behav- 
iour of  the  wise  united  Nations. — But  we 
find  you  are  none  of  our  Blood :  You  act  a 
dishonest  Part,  not  only  in  this,  but  in  other 
Matters :  Your  Ears  are  ever  open  to  slander- 
ous Reports  about  our  Brethren ;  you  receive 
them  with  as  much  Greediness  as  lewd 
Women  receive  the  Embraces  of  bad  Men. 
And  for  all  these  Reasons  we  charge  you  to 
remove  instantly ;  we  don't  give  you  the  Lib- 
erty to  think  about  it.  You  are  Women. 
Take  the  Advice  of  a  wise  Man,  and  remove 
immediately.  You  may  return  to  the  other 
Side  of  Delaware  where  you  came  from :  But 
we  do  not  know  whether,  considering  how 
you  have  demean' d  yourselves,  you  will  be 
permitted  to  live  there ;  or  whether  you  have 
not  swallowed  that  Land  down  your  Throats 
as  well  as  the  Land  on  this  Side.  We  there- 
fore assign  you  two  Places  to  go,  either  to 
107 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"Wyomen  or  Shamokin.  You  may  go  to  either 
of  these  Places,  and  then  we  shall  have  you 
more  under  our  Eye,  and  shall  see  how  you 
behave.  Don't  deliberate ;  but  remove  away, 
and  take  this  Belt  of  Wampum." 

This  being  interpreted  by  Conrad  Weiser 
into  English,  and  by  Cornelius  Spring  into 
the  Delaware  Language,  Canassetego  taking 
a  String  of  Wampum,  added  further. 

"After  our  just  Beproof,  and  absolute 
Order  to  depart  from  the  Land,  you  are  now 
to  take  Notice  of  what  we  have  further  to  say 
to  you.  This  String  of  Wampum  serves  to 
forbid  you,  your  Children  and  Grand-Chil- 
dren, to  the  latest  Posterity  for  ever,  med- 
dling in  Land- Affairs ;  neither  you,  nor  any 
who  shall  descend  from  you,  are  ever  here- 
after to  presume  to  sell  any  Land :  For  which 
purpose,  you  are  to  preserve  this  String,  in 
Memory  of  what  your  Uncles  have  this  Day 
given  you  in  Charge. — We  have  some  other 
Business  to  transact  with  our  Brethren,  and 
therefore  depart  the  Council,  and  consider 
what  has  been  said  to  you. " 

Canassatego  then  spoke  to  the  Governor 
and  Council : 

"BRETHREN, 

"  We  called  at  our  old  Friend  James  Lo- 
gan's, in  our  Way  to  this  City,  and  to  our  Grief 
108 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

we  found  him  hid  in  the  Bushes,  and  retired, 
thro'  Infirmities,  from  publick  Business. 
We  press' d  him  to  leave  his  Ketirement,  and 
prevailed  with  him  to  assist  once  more  on 
our  Account  at  your  Councils.  We  hope, 
notwithstanding  his  Age,  and  the  Effects  of 
a  Pit  of  Sickness,  which  we  understand  has 
hurt  his  Constitution,  that  he  may  yet  con- 
tinue a  long  Time  to  assist  this  Province  with 
his  Counsels.  He  is  a  wise  Man,  and  a  fast 
Friend  to  the  Indians.  And  we  desire,  when 
his  Soul  goes  to  G  0  D,  you  may  chuse  in  his 
Room  just  such  another  Person,  of  the  same 
Prudence  and  Ability  in  counselling,  and  of 
the  same  tender  Disposition  and  Affection  for 
the  Indians.  In  Testimony  of  our  Gratitude 
for  all  his  Services,  and  because  he  was  so 
good  as  to  leave  his  Country-House,  and  fol- 
low us  to  Town,  and  be  at  the  Trouble,  in 
this  his  advanced  Age,  to  attend  the  Council, 
we  present  him  with  this  Bundle  of  Skins." 

"BRETHREN, 

"  It  is  always  our  Way,  at  the  Conclusion 
of  a  Treaty,  to  desire  you  will  use  your  En- 
deavours with  the  Traders,  that  they  may 
sell  their  Goods  cheaper,  and  give  us  a  better 
Price  for  our  Deer-Skins.  Whenever  any 
particular  Sort  of  Indian  Goods  is  scarce, 
they  constantly  make  us  pay  the  dearer  on 
that  Account.  We  must  now  use  the  same 
109 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Argument  with  them :  Our  Deer  are  killed  in 
such  Quantities*  and  our  Hunting-Countries 
grown  less  every  Day  by  the  Settlement  of 
white  People,  that  Game  is  now  difficult  to 
find,  and  we  must  go  a  great  Way  in  quest  of 
it ;  they  therefore  ought  to  give  us  a  better 
Price  for  our  Skins ;  and  we  desire  you  would 
speak  to  them  to  do  so.  We  have  been 
stinted  in  the  Article  of  Kum  in  Town.  We 
desire  you  will  open  the  Rum-Bottle,  and 
give  it  to  us  in  greater  Abundance  on  the 
Koad." 

To  inforce  our  Bequest,  about  the  Indian 
Traders,  we  present  you  with  this  Bundle  of 
Skins. 

BRETHREN, 

"  When  we  first  came  to  your  Houses,  we 
found  them  clean  and  in  Order ;  but  we  have 
staid  so  long  as  to  dirty  them ;  which  is  to 
be  imputed  to  our  different  Way  of  Living 
from  the  white  People :  And  therefore,  as  we 
cannot  but  have  been  disagreeable  to  you  on 
this  Account,  we  present  you  with  some 
Skins  to  make  your  Houses  clean,  and  put 
them  into  the  same  Condition  they  were  in 
when  we  came  amongst  you." 

BRETHREN, 

"  The  Business  the  Five  Nations  transact 
with  you  is  of  great  Consequence,  and  re- 
110 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

quires  a  skilful  and  honest  Person  to  go  be- 
tween us ;  one  in  whom  both  you  and  we  can 
place  a  Confidence. — We  esteem  our  present 
Interpreter  to  be  such  a  Person,  equally  faith- 
ful in  the  Interpretation  of  whatever  is  said 
to  him  by  either  of  us,  equally  allied  to  both; 
he  is  of  our  Nation,  and  a  Member  of  our 
Council,  as  well  as  of  yours.  When  we 
adopted  him,  we  divided  him  into  two  equal 
Parts :  One  we  kept  for  ourselves,  and  one  we 
left  for  you.  He  has  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
with  us,  wore  out  his  Shoes  in  our  Messages, 
and  dirty' d  his  Clothes  by  being  amongst  us, 
so  that  he  is  become  as  nasty  as  an  Indian. 

"  In  Return  for  these  Services,  we  recom- 
mend him  to  your  Generosity ;  and  on  our 
own  Behalf,  we  give  him  Five  Skins  to  buy 
him  Clothes  and  Shoes  with." 

BRETHREN, 

"  We  have  still  one  more  Favour  to  ask. 
Our  Treaty,  and  all  we  have  to  say  about 
publick  Business,  is  now  over,  and  to-morrow 
we  design  to  leave  you.  We  hope,  as  you 
have  given  us  Plenty  of  good  Provision  whilst 
in  Town,  that  you  will  continue  your  Good- 
ness so  far  as  to  supply  us  with  a  little  more 
to  serve  us  on  the  Road.  And  we  likewise 
desire  you  will  provide  us  with  Waggons,  to 
carry  our  Goods  to  the  Place  where  they  are 
to  be  conveyed  by  Water." 
Ill 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

To  these  several  Points  the  Governor  made 
the  following  Keply. 

BRE  THR  EN  of  the  Six  Nations, 

"The  Judgment  you  have  just  now  pass'd 
on  your  Cousins  the  Delawares,  confirms  the 
high  Opinion  we  have  ever  entertained  of  the 
Justice  of  the  Six  Nations.  This  Part  of 
your  Character,  for  which  you  are  deservedly 
famed,  made  us  wave  doing  ourselves  Jus- 
tice, in  order  to  give  you  another  Opportunity 
of  convincing  the  World  of  your  inviolable 
Attachment  to  your  Engagements.  These 
unhappy  People  might  have  always  liv'd 
easy,  having  never  receiv'd  the  least  Injury 
from  us ;  but  we  believe  some  of  our  own 
People  were  bad  enough  to  impose  on  their 
Credulity,  and  engage  them  in  these  wrong 
Measures,  which  we  wish,  for  their  Sakes, 
they  had  avoided. 

"  We  hoped,  from  what  we  have  constantly 
given  in  Charge  to  the  Indian  Traders,  that 
they  would  have  administered  no  just  Cause 
of  Complaint :  If  they  do  you  Wrong,  it  is 
against  our  Inclinations,  and  contrary  to  our 
express  Directions.  As  you  have  exhibited 
no  particular  Charge  against  them,  we  shall 
use  our  best  Endeavours  to  persuade  them  to 
give  you  as  much  for  your  Skins  as  they  can 
possibly  afford ;  and  to  take  Care  that  their 
Goods  which  they  give  in  Exchange  for 
112 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Skins,  be  of  the  best  Sort.  We  will  likewise 
order  you  some  Kum  to  serve  you  on  your 
journey  home,  since  you  desire  it. 

"  We  wish  there  had  been  more  Koom  and 
better  Houses  provided  for  your  Entertain- 
ment ;  but  not  expecting  so  many  of  you,  we 
did  the  best  we  could.  'Tis  true,  there  are 
a  great  many  Houses  in  Town,  but  as  they 
are  the  Property  of  other  People,  who  have 
their  own  Families  to  take  care  of,  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  procure  Lodgings  for  a  large  Number 
of  People,  especially  if  they  come  unexpect- 
edly. 

"  We  entertain  the  same  Sentiments  of  the 
Abilities  and  Probity  of  the  Interpreter  as 
you  have  express' d.  We  were  indue' d  at  first 
to  make  use  of  him  in  this  important  Trust, 
from  his  being  known  to  be  agreeable  to  you, 
and  one  who  had  lived  amongst  you  for  some 
Years,  in  good  Credit  and  Esteem  with  all 
your  Nations;  and  have  ever  found  him 
equally  faithful  to  both.  We  are  pleas' d 
with  the  Notice  you  have  taken  of  him,  and 
think  he  richly  deserves  it  at  your  Hands. 
We  shall  not  be  wanting  to  make  him  a  suit- 
able ratification,  for  the  many  good  and 
faithful  Services  he  hath  done  this  Govern- 
ment. 

"  We  have  already  given  Orders  for  Wag- 
gons to  carry  your  Goods,  and  for  a  Supply 
of  Provisions  to  serve  you  on  the  Road  in 
Vol,  II.— 8  113 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

your  Return  home,  where  we  heartily  wish 
you  may  arrive  in  good  Health." 

After  the  Governor  had  concluded,  Mr. 
Logan  return' d  an  Answer  to  that  Part  of 
Canassatego's  Speech  which  related  to  him, 
and  said,  "  That  not  only  upon  the  Account 
of  his  Lameness,  of  which  the  Indians  them- 
selves were  Witnesses;  but  on  Account  of 
another  Indisposition,  which  about  three 
Years  since  had  laid  him  under  an  Incapacity 
of  expressing  himself  with  his  former  usual 
Freedom,  he  had  been  obliged  to  live  retired 
in  the  Country.  But  that  our  first  Proprie- 
tor, the  Honourable  William  Penn,  who  had 
ever  been  a  Father  and  true  Friend  to  all  the 
Indians,  having  above  forty  Years  since  rec- 
ommended them  to  his  particular  Care,  he 
had  always,  from  his  own  Inclination,  as 
well  as  from  that  strict  Charge,  endeavoured 
to  convince  all  the  Indians,  that  he  was  their 
true  Friend ;  and  was  now  well  pleased,  that 
after  a  Tract  of  so  many  Years,  they  were 
not  insensible  of  it.  He  thanked  them  kindly 
for  their  Present,  and  heartily  joined  with 
them  in  their  Desires,  that  this  Government 
may  always  be  furnished  with  Persons  of 
equally  good  Inclinations,  and  not  only  with 
such,  but  also  with  better  Abilities  to  serve 
them." 

And  then  Canassatego  said,  he  had  forgot 
to  mention,  that  Shickcalamy  and  Caxhayn 
114 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

had  been  employ' d  on  several  Messages  to 
this  Government,  and  desir'd  they  might  be 
consider' d  on  that  Account. 

At  a  COUNCIL  held  the  12th  of  July,  P.M. 
1742. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE   THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieutenant-Governor. 

James  Logan, 

Clement  Plumsted, 

Samuel  Hasell, 

Robert  Strettell,  I  Esqrs ; 

Samuel  Preston, 

Thomas  Lawrence, 

Abraham  Taylor, 

Mr.  Richard  Peters. 

The  Board  taking  into  Consideration  the 
Regulation  of  the  necessary  Expences  of  the 
Indians  travelling  down  hither,  and  return- 
ing ;  and  upon  an  Estimate  made  by  Conrad 
Weiser,  amounting  to  about  one  hundred 
Pounds,  it  appearing  that  the  said  Sum  of 
1001.  will  be  necessary  to  be  advanced  to 
Conrad  Weiser  to  defray  those  Expences,  Mr. 
Logan,  on  the  Proprietaries  Behalf,  proposes 
to  advance  40Z.  and  the  Treasurer  declaring 
he  had  no  publick  Money  in  his  Hands,  and 
that  if  he  had,  he  would  not  advance  Money 
115 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

without  the  Assembly's  Order;  it  is  recom- 
mended to  Mr.  Preston  and  Mr.  Lawrence, 
to  confer  with  Mr.  Kinsey,  and  know  whether 
he,  as  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  and  Trustee 
of  the  Loan-Office,  will  advance  the  other  601. 
And  the  Indians  having  requested  that  they 
might  have  a  small  Quantity  of  Rum,  to  be 
added  to  their  Provisions,  to  comfort  them  on 
the  Road:  The  Board  is  of  Opinion,  that 
there  be  added  to  the  said  Estimate  for 

twenty  Gallons  of  Rum  for  the  aforesaid  Use. 
And  in  Return  for  their  Present  of  Skins,  at 
requesting  that  the  Indian  Traders  be  enjoin' d 
to  sell  their  Goods  cheaper,  the  Board  directs 
that  two  Strouds  be  presented.  And  that 
five  Pounds  be  given  to  Caxhayn  on  the  Ac- 
count of  the  Province,  for  his  Services ;  and 
to  Shickcalamy  the  like  Sum. 

A  just  Copy,  compared  by 

PATRICK  BAIRD,  Seer. 


116 


TREATY, 

Held  at  the  Town  of 

Lancaster,     in     Pensylvania, 

By  the  Honourable  the 

Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  PROVINCE, 

And  the  Honourable  the 

Commissioners    for  the  PROVINCES 

OF 

Virginia  and  Maryland, 

WITH     THE 

INDIANS 

OF    THE 

SIX       NATIONS, 

In    JUNE,     1744. 


A  Treaty  with    the    INDIANS 
of   the    Six    Nations. 


\n  the  Court-House  in  the  Town  of  Lancas- 
ter, on  Friday  the  Twenty-second  of  June, 
1744. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS,  Esq; 
Lieut.  Governor  of  the  Province  of  Pen- 
sylvania,  and  Counties  of  Newcastle,  Kent 
and  Sussex,  on  Delaware. 

The  Honble  Thomas  Lee,  "1  Commissioners 

Esq;                               W  of 
Colonel  William  Beverly,  j  Virginia. 
The  Honbl  e  Edm.  Jennings,  Esq ; "]    Commis- 
Philip  Thomas,  Esq ;  I  sioners  of 
Colonel  Robert  King,  [     Mary- 
Colonel  Thomas  Colville,  J      land. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Onandagoes,  Senecas, 

Cayogoes,  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroraes. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

THE   Governor    and    the    Commissioners 
took  some  of  the  Indian  Chiefs  by  the 
Hand,  and,  after  they  had  seated  themselves, 
the  Governor  bid  them  welcome  into  the  Gov- 
ernment;  and  there  being  Wine  and  Punch 
119 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

prepared  for  them,  the  Governor  and  the  sev- 
eral Commissioners  drank  Health  to  the  Six 
Nations ;  and  Canassatego,  Tachanoontia,  and 
some  other  Chiefs,  returned  the  Compli- 
ments, drinking  the  Healths  of  *Onas, 
f  Assaragoa,  and  the  Governor  of  Mary- 
land. 

After  they  were  all  served  with  Wine, 
Punch,  Pipes  and  Tobacco,  the  Governor  told 
the  Indians,  that  as  it  was  customary,  and  in- 
deed necessary,  they  should  have  some  Time 
to  rest  after  so  long  a  Journey,  and  as  he 
thought  three  Days  would  be  no  more  than 
sufficient  for  that  Purpose,  he  proposed  to 
speak  to  them  on  Monday  next ;  after  which, 
the  honourable  Commissioners  would  take 
their  own  Time  to  deliver  what  the  had  to 
say. 

Canassatego  answered  the  Governor:  We 
thank  you  for  giving  us  Time  to  rest ;  we  are 
come  to  you,  and  shall  leave  it  intirely  to  you 
to  appoint  the  Time  when  we  shall  meet  you 
again.  We  likewise  leave  it  to  the  Governor 
of  Maryland,  by  whose  Invitation  we  came 
here,  to  appoint  a  Time  when  he  will  please 
to  mention  the  Eeason  of  his  inviting  us.  As 
to  our  Brother  Assaragoa,  we  have  at  this 
present  Time  nothing  to  say  to  him ;  not  but 
we  have  a  great  deal  to  say  to  Assaragoa, 

*  Onas,  the  Governor  of  Pensylvania. 
f  Assaragoa,  the  Governor  of  Virginia. 
120 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

which  must  be  said  at  one  Time  or  another ; 
but  not  being  satisfied  whether  he  or  we 
should  begin  first,  we  shall  leave  it  wholly  to 
our  Brother  Onas  to  adjust  this  between  us, 
and  to  say  which  shall  begin  first. 


In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  25, 
1744.  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable    GEORGE     THOMAS, 

Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Governor  spoke  as  follows. 

Honourable  Gentlemen,  Commissioners  for 
the  Governments  of  Virginia  and  Maryland, 
and  Brethren,  Sachims,  or  Chiefs  of  the  In- 
dians of  the  Six  Nations. 

AT  a  Treaty,  held  by  me  two  Years  ago, 
in  Behalf  of  the  Government  of  Pen- 
sylvania,  with  a  Number  of  the  Chiefs  of  the 
Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  I  was  desired  by 
them  to  write  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
121 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

concerning  some  Xands  in  the  back  Parts  of 
that  Province,  which  they  claim  a  Eight  to 
from  their  Conquests  over  the  ancient  Pos- 
sessors, and  which  have  been  settled  by  some 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Government,  with- 
out their  Consent,  or  any  Purchase  made  from 
them.  It  was  at  that  time  understood  that 
the  Claim  was  upon  Maryland  only ;  but  it 
has  since  appeared,  by  some  Letters  formerly 
wrote  by  Mr.  President  Logan  to  the  late 
Governor  of  Maryland,  that  it  related  like- 
wise to  some  Lands  in  the  back  Parts  of 
Virginia.  The  Governors  of  those  Colonies 
soon  manifested  a  truly  equitable  Disposition 
to  come  to  any  reasonable  Terms  with  the 
Six  Nations  on  account  of  those  Lands,  and 
desired,  that  for  that  End  a  Time  and  Place 
might  be  fixed  for  a  Treaty  with  them ;  but 
before  this  could  be  effected,  an  unfortunate 
Skirmish  happened  in  the  back  Parts  of  Vir- 
ginia, between  some  of  the  Militia  there,  and 
a  Party  of  the  Indian  Warriors  of  the  Six 
Nations,  with  some  Loss  on  both  Sides. 
Who  were  the  Aggressors  is  not  at  this  time 
to  be  discussed,  both  Parties  having  agreed  to 
bury  that  Affair  in  Oblivion,  and  the  Govern- 
ment of  Virginia  having,  in  Token  of  the 
Continuance  of  their  Friendship,  presented 
the  Six  Nations,  through  my  Hands,  with 
Goods  to  the  Value  of  One  Hundred  Pounds 
Sterling.  To  prevent  further  Hostilities,  and 
123 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

to  heal  this  Breach,  I  had,  before  the  Present 
was  given,  made  a  Tender  of  my  good  Office ; 
which  both  Parties  accepted,  and  consented, 
on  my  Instances,  to  lay  down  their  Arms : 
Since  which  the  Faith  pledged  to  me  has 
been  mutually  preserved,  and  a  Time  and 
Place  has  been  agreed  upon,  through  my 
Intervention,  for  accommodating  all  Differ- 
ences, and  for  settling  a  firm  Peace,  Union 
and  Friendship,  as  well  between  the  Govern- 
ment of  Virginia  as  that  of  Maryland,  and  the 
Indians  of  the  Six  Nations.*  The  honour- 
able the  Commissioners  for  these  two  Govern- 
ments, and  the  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations, 
are  now  met  at  the  Place  appointed  for  the 
Treaty.  It  only  remains  therefore  for  me  to 
say,  that  if  my  further  good  Offices  shall  be 
thought  useful  for  the  Accomplishment  of 
this  Work,  you  may  rely  most  assuredly  upon 
them. 

But  I  hope,  honourable  Gentlemen  Com- 
missioners, it  will  not  be  taken  amiss  if  I 
go  a  little  further,  and  briefly  represent 
to  you,  how  especially  necessary  it  is  at 
this  Juncture,  for  his  Majesty's  Service, 
and  the  Good  of  all  his  Colonies  in  this 
Part  of  his  Dominions,  that  Peace  and 
Friendship    be    established    between     your 

*  This  was  allowed,  at  a  Conference  had  by  the 
Governor  with  the  Commissioners,  to  be  a  just  State 
of  the  Transactions  preceding  the  Treaty. 
123 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Governments   and  the  Indians  of  the   Six 
Nations. 

These  Indians,  by  their  Situation,  are  a 
Frontier  to  some  of  them ;  and,  from  thence, 
if  Friends,  are  capable  of  defending  their 
Settlements;  if  Enemies,  of  making  cruel 
Kavages  upon  them;  if  Neuters,  they  may 
deny  the  French  a  Passage  through  their 
Country,  and  give  us  timely  Notice  of  their 
Designs.  These  are  but  some  of  the  Motives 
for  cultivating  a  Good  Understanding  with 
them ;  but  from  hence  the  Disadvantages  of 
a  Rupture  are  abundantly  evident.  Every 
Advantage  you  gain  over  them  in  War  will 
be  a  weakening  of  the  Barrier  of  those  Col- 
onies, and  consequently  be,  in  effect,  Victor- 
ies over  yourselves  and  your  Fellow  Subjects. 
Some  Allowances  for  their  Prejudices  and 
Passions,  and  a  Present  now  and  then  for  the 
Relief  of  their  Necessities,  which  have,  in 
some  Measure,  been  brought  upon  them  by 
their  Intercourse  with  us,  and  by  our  yearly 
extending  our  Settlements,  will  probably  tie 
them  more  closely  to  the  British  Interest. 
This  has  been  the  Method  of  New- York  and 
Pensylvania,  and  will  not  put  you  to  so  much 
Expence  in  twenty  Years,  as  the  carrying  on 
a  War  against  them  will  do  in  one.  The 
French  very  well  know  the  Importance  of 
these  Nations  to  us,  and  will  not  fail  by 
Presents,  and  their  other  usual  Arts,  to  take 
124 


w*rr,  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Advantage  of  any  Misunderstanding  we  may 
have  with  them.*  But  I  will  detain  you. 
Gentlemen,  no  longer.  Your  own  superior 
Knowledge  will  suggest  to  you  more  than  I 
can  say  on  this  Subject. 

Friends  and  Brethren,  Sachems,  or  Chiefs  of 
the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations : 
These,  your  Brethren  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  are  come  to  enlarge  the  Fire, 
which  was  almost  gone  out,  and  to  make  it 
burn  clearer;  to  brighten  the  Chain  which 
had  contracted  some  Rust,  and  to  renew  their 
Friendship  with  you ;  which  it  is  their  Desire 
may  last  so  long  as  the  Sun,  the  Moon  and 
the  Stars,  shall  give  Light.  Their  Powers 
are  derived  from  the  Great  King  of  Eng- 
land, your  Father;  and  whatever  Conclu- 
sions they  shall  come  to  with  you,  will  be  as 
firm  and  binding  as  if  the  Governors  of  these 
Provinces  were  themselves  here.  I  am  your 
Brother,  and,  which  is  more,  I  am  your  true 

*  The  two  preceding  Paragraphs  were  allowed  by 
the  Commissioners  of  Virginia,  whilst  they  were  at 
Philadelphia,  to  be  very  proper  to  be  spoken  by 
the  Governor  of  Pensylvania  at  the  Opening  of  the 
Treaty ;  but  taking  up  an  Opinion,  from  what  passed 
at  the  first  friendly  Interview  with  the  Indians,  that 
they  would  not  make  any  Claim  upon  Lands  within 
the  Government  of  Virginia,  the  Governor  con- 
sented to  decline  speaking  them  in  the  Presence  of 
the  Indians. 

126 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Friend.  As  you  know,  from  Experience,  that 
I  am  so,  I  will  now  give  you  a  few  Words  of 
Advice.  Receive  these  your  Brethren  with 
open  Arms ;  unite  yourselves  to  them  in  the 
Covenant  Chain,  and  be  you  with  them  as 
one  Body,  and  one  Soul.  I  make  no  doubt 
but  the  Governor  of  Canada  has  been  taking 
Pains  to  widen  the  Breach  between  these 
your  Brethren  of  Virginia  and  you ;  but  as 
you  cannot  have  forgot  the  Hatred  the  French 
have  always  borne  to  your  Nations,  and  how 
kindly,  on  the  contrary,  you  have  been  treated, 
how  faithfully  you  have  been  protected  by 
the  Great  King  of  England  and  his  Subjects, 
you  will  not  be  at  a  Loss  to  see  into  the  De- 
signs of  that  Governor.  He  wants  to  divide 
you  from  us,  in  order  the  more  easily  to  de- 
stroy you,  which  he  will  most  certainly  do, 
if  you  suffer  yourselves  to  be  deluded  by  him. 
As  to  what  relates  to  the  Friendship  estab- 
lished between  the  Government  of  Pensyl- 
vania  and  your  Nations,  I  will  take  another 
Day  to  speak  to  you  upon  it. 

To  enforce  what  had  been  said,  the  Gov- 
ernor laid  down  a  Belt  of  Wampum ;  upon 
which  the  Indians  gave  the  *  Yo-hah. 

*The  Yo-hah  denotes  Approbation,  being  a  loud 
Shout  or  Cry,  consisting  of  a  few  Notes  pronounced 
by  all  the  Indians  in  a  very  musical  Manner,  in  the 
Nature  of  our  Huzza's. 

126 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

After  a  short  Pause,  the  Governor  ordered 
the  Interpreter  to  tell  the  Indians,  that  as 
they  had  greatly  exceeded  their  appointed 
Tim  p.  for  meeting  the  Commissioners,  he  rec- 
ommended to  them  to  use  all  the  Expedition 
possible  in  giving  their  Answer  to  what  had 
been  said,  that  they  might  forthwith  proceed 
to  treat  with  the  respective  Commmissioners 
on  the  Business  they  came  about. 

Then  Canassatego  repeated  to  the  Inter- 
preter the  Substance  of  what  the  Governor 
had  spoke,  in  order  to  know  if  he  had  under- 
stood him  right  (a  Method  generally  made 
use  of  by  the  Indians)  and  when  the  Inter- 
preter told  him  he  had  taken  the  true  Sense, 
Canassatego  proceeded  to  return  the  Thanks 
of  the  Six  Nations  for  the  Governor's  kind 
Advice,  promising  to  follow  it  as  far  as  lay 
in  their  Power ;  but  as  it  was  their  Custom 
when  a  Belt  was  given  to  return  another, 
they  would  take  Time  till  the  Afternoon  to 
provide  one,  and  would  then  give  their  An- 
swer. 


IS? 


l'HE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  25, 
17 44.  P.M. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS, 
Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

Canassatego's  Answer  to  the  Governors 
Speech  delivered  in  the  Morning. 

Brother  Onas, 

YOU  spoke  in  the  Presence  of  Assaragoa 
and  the  Governor  of  Maryland  to  us, 
advising  us  to  receive  them  as  our  Brethren, 
and  to  unite  with  them  in  the  Covenant  Chain 
as  one  Body,  and  one  Soul.  We  have  always 
considered  them  as  our  Brethren,  and,  as 
such,  shall  be  willing  to  brighten  the  Chain 
of  Friendship  with  them;  but  since  there 
are  some  Disputes  between  us  respecting  the 
Lands  possessed  by  them,  which  formerly 
belonged  to  us,  we,  according  to  our  Custom, 
propose  to  have  those  Differences  first  ad- 
justed, and  then  we  shall  proceed  to  confirm 
the  Friendship  subsisting  between  us,  which 
128 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

will  meet  with  no  Obstruction  after  these 
Matters  are  settled. 

Here  they  presented  the  Governor  with  a  Belt 
of  Wampum,  in  return  for  the  Belt  given 
them  in  the  Morning  by  the  Governor ;  and 
the  Interpreter  was  ordered  to  return  the 
Yo-hah. 

Then  the  Governor,  in  Reply,  spoke  as 
follows : 

I  receive  your  Belt  with  great  Kindness 
and  Affection ;  and  as  to  what  relates  to  the 
Governments  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  the 
honourable  Commissioners,  now  present,  are 
ready  to  treat  with  you.  I  shall  only  add, 
that  the  Goods  for  the  Hundred  Pounds 
Sterling,  put  into  my  Hands  by  the  Governor 
of  Virginia,  as  a  Token  of  his  good  Disposi- 
tions to  preserve  Friendship  with  you,  are 
now  in  Town,  and  ready  to  be  delivered,  in 
consequence  of  what  was  told  you  by  Conrad 
Weiser  when  he  was  last  at  Onandago. 

Then  the  Governor,  turning  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  said, 
Gentlemen,  I  have  now  finished  what  was  in- 
cumbent upon  me  to  say  by  way  of  Introduc- 
tion to  the  Indians ;  and  as  you  have  a  full 
Authority  from  your  respective  Governments 
to  treat  with  them,  I  shall  leave  the  rest  in- 
tirely  to  you,  and  either  stay  or  withdraw,  as 
you  shall  think  most  for  your  Service. 
Vol.  II.— 9  129 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

The  Commissioners  said,  They  were  all  of 
Opinion,  it  wouM  be  for  their  Advantage  that 
the  Governor  should  stay  with  them;  and 
therefore  they  unanimously  desired  he  would 
favour  them  with  the  Continuance  of  his 
Presence  while  they  should  be  in  Treaty  with 
the  Indians :  Which  his  Honour  said  he  would 
at  their  Instance  very  readily  do,  believing  it 
might  expedite  their  Business,  and  prevent 
any  Jealousy  the  Indians  might  conceive  at 
his  withdrawing. 

The  Commissioners  of  Maryland  ordered  the 
Interpreter  to  acquaint  the  Indians  that  the 
Government  of  Maryland  was  going  to 
speak  to  them,  and  then  spoke  as  follows : 

Friends  and  Brethren  of  the  united  Six  Na- 
tions, 

We,  who  are  deputed  from  the  Govern- 
ment of  Maryland  by  a  Commission  under  the 
Great  Seal  of  that  Province,  now  in  our 
Hands  (and  which  will  be  interpreted  to  you) 
"bid  you  welcome ;  and  in  Token  that  we  are 
very  glad  to  see  you  here  as  Brethren,  we 
give  you  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Upon  which  the  Indians  gave  the  Yo-hah. 

When  the  Governor  of  Maryland  received 

the  first  Notice,  about  seven  Years  ago,  of 

your  Claim  to  some  Lands  in  that  Province, 

he  thought  our  good  Friends  and  Brethren  of 

130 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  Six  Nations  had  little  Eeason  to  com- 
plain of  any  Injury  from  Maryland,  and  that 
they  would  be  so  well  convinced  thereof,  on 
farther  Deliberation,  as  he  should  hear  no 
more  of  it;  but  you  spoke  of  that  Matter 
again  to  the  Governor  of  Pensylvania,  about 
two  Years  since,  as  if  you  designed  to  terrify 
ns. 

It  was  very  inconsiderately  said  by  you, 
that  you  would  do  yourselves  Justice,  by 
going  to  take  Payment  yourselves :  Such  an 
Attempt  would  have  intirely  dissolved  the 
Chain  of  Friendship  subsisting,  not  only  be- 
tween us,  but  perhaps  the  other  English  and 
you. 

We  assure  you,  our  People,  who  are  numer- 
ous, courageous,  and  have  Arms  ready  in 
their  Hands,  will  not  suffer  themselves  to  be 
hurt  in  their  Lives  and  Estates. 

But,  however,  the  old  and  wise  People  of 
Maryland  immediately  met  in  Council,  and 
upon  considering  very  cooly  your  rash  Ex- 
pressions, agreed  to  invite  their  Brethren,  the 
Six  Nations,  to  this  Place,  that  they  might 
learn  of  them  what  Right  they  have  to  the 
Land  in  Maryland,  and,  if  they  had  any,  to 
make  them  some  reasonable  Compensation  for 
it ;  therefore  the  Governor  of  Maryland  has 
sent  us  to  meet  and  treat  with  you  about  this 
Affair,  and  the  brightening  and  strengthening 
the  Chain  which  hath  long  subsisted  between 
131 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

us.  And  as  an  Earnest  of  our  Sincerity  and 
Good- will  towards  you,  we  present  you  with 
this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

On  which  the  Indians  gave  the  Yo-hah. 

Our  Great  King  of  England,  and  his  Sub- 
jects, have  always  possessed  the  Province  of 
Maryland  free  and  undisturbed  from  any 
Claim  of  the  Six  Nations  for  above  one  hun- 
dred Years  past,  and  your  not  saying  any 
thing  to  us  before,  convinces  us  you  thought 
you  had  no  Pretence  to  any  Lands  in  Mary- 
land ;  nor  can  we  yet  find  out  to  what  Lands, 
or  under  what  Title  you  make  your  Claim : 
For  the  Sasquahannah  Indians,  by  a  Treaty 
above  ninety  Years  since  (which  is  on  the 
Table,  and  will  be  interpreted  to  you)  give, 
and  yield  to  the  English  Nation,  their  Heirs 
and  Assigns  for  ever,  the  greatest  Part  (if 
not  all)  of  the  Lands  we  possess,  from  Pa- 
tuxent  River,  on  the  Western,  as  well  as 
from  Choptank  River,  on  the  Eastern  Side  of 
the  Great  Bay  of  Chessapeak.  And,  near 
Sixty  Years  ago,  you  acknowledged  to  the 
Governor  of  New- York  at  Albany,  "  That  you 
had  given  your  Lands,  and  submitted  your- 
selves to  the  King  of  England." 

We  are  that  Great  King's  Subjects,  and  we 

possess  and  enjoy  the  Province  of  Maryland 

by   Virtue    of    his   Right    and   Sovereignty 

thereto;    why,  then,  will  you  stir  up   any 

132 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Quarrel  between  you  and  ourselves,  who  are 
as  one  Man,  under  the  Protection  of  that 
Great  King? 

We  need  not  put  you  in  mind  of  the  Treaty 
(which  we  suppose  you  have  had  from  your 
Fathers)  made  with  the  Province  of  Mary- 
land near  Seventy  Years  ago,  and  renewed 
and  confirmed  twice  since  that  time. 

By  these  Treaties  we  became  Brethren ;  we 
have  always  lived  as  such,  and  hope  always 
to  continue  so. 

We  have  this  further  to  say,  that  altho* 
we  are  not  satisfied  of  the  Justice  of  your 
Claim  to  any  Lands  in  Maryland,  yet  we  are 
desirous  of  shewing  our  Brotherly  Kindness 
and  Affection,  and  to  prevent  (by  any  reason- 
able Way)  every  Misunderstanding  between 
the  Province  of  Maryland  and  you  our  Breth- 
ren of  the  Six  Nations. 

For  this  Purpose  we  have  brought  hither  a 
Quantity  of  goods  for  our  Brethren  the  Six 
Nations,  and  which  will  be  delivered  you  as 
soon  as  we  shall  have  received  your  Answer, 
and  make  so  bright  and  large  a  Fire  as  may 
burn  pure  and  clear  whilst  the  Sun  and  Moon 
shall  shine. 

We  have  now  freely  and  openly  laid  our 
Bosoms  bare  to  you ;  and  that  you  may  be 
the  better  confirmed  of  the  Truth  of  our 
Hearts,  we  give  you  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  Yo-hah. 
133 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

After  a  little  Time  Canassatego  spoke  as 
follows :  v 

Brother,  the  Governor  of  Maryland, 

We  have  heard  what  you  have  said  to  us ; 
and,  as  you  have  gone  back  to  old  Times,  we 
cannot  give  you  an  Answer  now,  but  shall 
take  what  you  have  said  into  Consideration, 
and,  return  you  our  Answer  some  Time  to 
Morrow.  He  then  sat  down,  and  after  some 
Time  he  spoke  again. 

Brother,  the  Governor  of  Maryland, 

If  you  have  made  any  Enquiry  into  Indian 
Affairs,  you  will  know,  that  we  have  always 
had  our  Guns,  Hatchets  and  Kettles  mended 
when  we  came  to  see  our  Brethren.  Brother 
Onas,  and  the  Governor  of  York  always  do 
this  for  us;  and  we  give  you  this  early 
Notice,  that  we  may  not  thereby  be  delayed, 
being  desirous,  as  well  as  you,  to  give  all 
possible  Dispatch  to  the  Business  to  be  trans- 
acted between  us. 

The  Commissioners  of  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land said,  since  it  was  customary,  they  would 
give  Orders  to  have  every  Thing  belonging  to 
them  mended  that  should  want  it 


134 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  26, 

1744,  P.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable   GEORGE     THOMAS, 

Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

Canassatego  spoke  as  follows : 

Brother,  the  Governor  of  Maryland , 

WHEN  you  invited  us  to  kindle  a  Coun- 
cil Fire  with  you,  Conedogwainet 
was  the  Place  agreed  upon ;  but  afterwards 
you,  by  Brother  Onas,  upon  second  Thoughts, 
considering  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  get 
Provisions  and  other  Accommodations  where 
there  were  but  few  Houses  or  Inhabitants, 
desired  we  would  meet  our  Brethren  at  Lan- 
caster, and  at  his  Instances  we  very  readily 
agreed  to  meet  you  here,  and  are  glnd  of  the 
Change ;  for  we  have  found  Plenty  of  every 
thing ;  and  as  Yesterday  you  bid  us  welcome, 
and  told  us  you  were  glad  to  see  us,  we  like- 
wise assure  you  we  are  as  glad  to  see  you ; 
and,  in  Token  of  our  Satisfaction,  we  present 
you  with  this  String  of  Wampum. 
135 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere* 
mony.  v 

Brother,  the  Governor  of  Maryland, 

You  tell  us,  that  when  about  Seven  Years 
ago  you  heard,  by  our  Brother  Onas,  of  our 
Claim  to  some  Lands  in  your  Province,  you 
took  no  Notice  of  it,  believing,  as  you  say. 
that  when  we  should  come  to  reconsider  that 
Matter,  we  should  find  that  we  had  no  Eight 
to  make  any  Complaint  of  the  Governor  of 
Maryland,  and  would  drop  our  Demand. 
And  that  when  about  two  Years  ago  we  men- 
tioned it  again  to  our  Brother  Onas,  you  say 
we  did  it  in  such  Terms  as  looked  like  a  De- 
sign to  terrify  you ;  and  you  tell  us  further, 
that  we  must  be  beside  ourselves,  in  using 
such  a  rash  Expression  as  to  tell  you,  We 
know  how  to  do  ourselves  Justice  if  you  still 
refuse.  It  is  true  we  did  say  s^,  but  with- 
out any  ill  Design ;  for  we  must  inform  you, 
that  when  we  first  desired  our  Brother  Onas 
to  use  his  Influence  with  you  to  procure  us 
Satisfaction  for  our  Lands,  we,  at  the  same 
time,  desired  him,  in  case  you  should  disre- 
gard our  Demand,  to  write  to  the  Great  King 
beyond  the  Seas,  who  would  own  us  for  his 
Children  as  well  as  you,  to  compel  you  to  do 
us  Justice:  And,  two  years  ago,  when  we 
found  that  you  had  paid  no  Eegard  to  our 
just  Demand,  ncr  that  Brother  Onas  had  con- 
136 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

vey'd  our  Complaint  to  the  Great  King  over 
the  Seas,  we  were  resolved  to  use  such  Ex- 
pressions as  would  make  the  greatest  Impres- 
sions on  your  Minds,  and  we  find  it  had  its 
Effect ;  for  you  tell  us,  "  That  your  wise  Men 
held  a  Council  together,  and  agreed  to  invite 
us,  and  to  enquire  of  our  Right  to  any  of 
your  Lands,  and  if  it  should  be  found  that 
we  had  a  Right,  we  were  to  have  a  Compen- 
sation made  for  them :  And  likewise  you  tell 
us,  that  our  Brother,  the  Governor  of  Mary- 
land, by  the  advice  of  these  wise  Men,  has 
sent  you  to  brighten  the  Chain,  and  to  assure 
us  of  his  Willingness  to  remove  whatever  im- 
pedes a  good  Understanding  between  us." 
This  shews  that  your  wise  Men  understood 
our  Expressions  in  their  true  Sense.  We  had 
no  Design  to  terrify  you,  but  to  put  you  on 
doing  us  the  Justice  you  had  so  long  delayed. 
Your  wise  Men  have  done  well ;  and  as  there 
is  no  Obstacle  to  a  good  Understanding  be- 
tween us,  except  this  Affair  of  our  Land,  we, 
on  our  Parts,  do  give  you  the  strongest  As- 
surances of  our  good  Disposition  towards 
you,  and  that  we  are  as  desirous  as  you  to 
brighten  the  Chain,  and  to  put  away  all  Hin- 
drances to  a  perfect  good  Understanding; 
and,  in  Token  of  our  Sincerity,  we  give  you 
this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Widen  was  received,  and  the  Interpreter 
ordered  to  give  the  Yo-hah. 
137 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Brother,  the  Governor  of  Maryland, 

When  you  mentioned  the  Affair  of  the 
Land  Yesterday,  you  went  back  to  old  Times, 
and  told  us,  you  had  been  in  Possession  of 
the  Province  of  Maryland  above  One  Hun- 
dred Years ;  but  what  is  One  Hundred  Years 
in  Comparison  of  the  Length  of  Time  since 
our  Claim  began?  since  we  came  out  of  this 
Ground?  For  we  must  tell  you,  that  long 
before  One  Hundred  Years  our  Ancestors 
came  out  of  this  very  Ground,  and  their  Chil- 
dren have  remained  here  ever  since.  You 
came  out  of  the  Ground  in  a  Country  that  lies 
beyond  the  Seas,  there  you  may  have  a  just 
Claim,  but  here  you  must  allow  us  to  be  your 
elder  Brethren,  and  the  Lands  to  belong  to 
us  long  before  you  knew  any  thing  of  them. 
^t  is  true,  that  above  One  Hundred  Years  ago 
the  Dutch  came  here  in  a  Ship,  and  brought 
with  them  several  Goods;  such  as  Awls, 
Knives,  Hatchets,  Guns,  and  many  other 
Particulars,  which  they  gave  us;  and  when 
they  had  taught  us  how  to  use  their  Things, 
and  we  saw  what  sort  of  People  they  were, 
we  were  so  well  pleased  with  them,  that  we 
tied  their  Ship  to  the  Bushes  on  the  Shore ; 
and  afterwards,  liking  them  still  better  the 
longer  they  staid  with  us,  and  thinking  the 
Bushes  too  slender,  we  removed  the  Rope, 
and  tied  it  to  the  Trees;  and  as  the  Trees 
were  liable  to  be  blown  down  by  high  Winds* 
138 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

or  to  decay  of  themselves,  we,  from  the  Af- 
fection we  bore  them,  again  removed  the 
Eope,  and  tied  it  to  a  strong  and  big  Eock 
[here  the  Interpreter  said,  They  mean  the 
Oneido  Country]  and  not  content  with  this, 
for  its  further  Security  we  removed  the  Eope 
to  the  big  Mountain  [here  the  Interpreter 
says  they  mean  the  Onandago  Country]  and 
there  we  tied  it  very  fast,  and  roll'd  Wam- 
pum about  it;  and,  to  make  it  still  more 
secure,  we  stood  upon  the  Wampum,  and  sat 
down  upon  it,  to  defend  it,  and  to  prevent 
any  Hurt  coming  to  it,  and  did  our  best  En- 
deavours that  it  might  remain  uninjured  for 
ever.  During  all  this  Time  the  New-comers, 
the  Dutch,  acknowledged  our  Eight  to  the 
Lands,  and  sollicited  us,  from  Time  to  Time, 
to  grant  them  Parts  of  our  Country,  and  to 
enter  into  League  and  Covenant  with  us,  and 
to  become  one  People  with  us. 

After  this  the  English  came  into  the  Coun- 
try, and,  as  we  were  told,  became  one  People 
with  the  Dutch.  About  two  Years  after  the 
Arrival  of  the  English  an  English  Governor 
came  to  Albany,  and  finding  what  great 
Friendship  subsisted  between  us  and  the 
Dutch,  he  approved  it  mightily,  and  desired 
to  make  as  strong  a  League,  and  to  be  upon 
as  good  Terms  with  us  as  the  Dutch  were, 
with  whom  he  was  united,  and  to  become  one 
People  with  us :  And  by  his  further  Care  in 
139 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

looking  into  whaft  had  passed  between  us,  lie 
found  that  the  Rope  which  tied  the  Ship  to 
the  great  Mountain  was  only  fastened  with 
Wampum,  which  was  liable  to  break  and  rot, 
and  to  perish  in  a  Course  of  Years ;  he  there- 
fore told  us,  he  would  give  us  a  Silver  Chain, 
which  would  be  much  stronger,  and  would 
last  for  ever.  This  we  accepted,  and  fastened 
the  Ship  with  it,  and  it  has  lasted  ever  since. 
Indeed  we  have  had  some  small  Differences 
with  the  English,  and,  during  these  Misun- 
derstandings, some  of  their  young  Men  would, 
by  way  of  Reproach,  be  every  now  and  then 
telling  us,  that  we  should  have  perished  if 
they  had  not  come  into  the  Country  and  fur- 
nished us  with  Strowds  and  Hatchets,  and 
Guns,  and  other  Things  necessary  for  the 
Support  of  Life ;  but  we  always  gave  them 
to  understand  that  they  were  mistaken,  that 
we  lived  before  they  came  amongst  us,  and 
as  well,  or  better,  if  we  may  believe  what  our 
Forefathers  have  told  us.  We  had  then 
Room  enough,  and  Plenty  of  Deer,  which 
was  easily  caught;  and  tho'  we  had  not 
Knives,  Hatchets,  or  Guns,  such  as  we  have 
now,  yet  we  had  Knives  of  Stone,  and 
Hatchets  of  Stone,  and  Bows  and  Arrows, 
and  those  served  our  Uses  as  well  then  as  th& 
English  ones  do  now.  We  are  now  strait- 
ened, and  sometimes  in  want  of  Deer,  and 
liable  to  many  other  Inconveniencies  since  th& 
140 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

English  came  among  us,  and  particularly  from 
that  Pen-and-ink  Work  that  is  going  on  at 
the  Table  (pointing  to  the  Secretary)  and  we 
will  give  you  an  Instance  of  this.  Our 
Brother  Onas,  a  great  while  ago,  came  to 
Albany  to  buy  the  Sasquahannah  Lands  of 
us,  but  our  Brother  the  Governor  of  New- 
York,  who,  as  we  suppose,  had  not  a  good 
Understanding  with  our  Brother  Onas,  ad- 
vised us  not  to  sell  him  any  Land,  for  he 
would  make  an  ill  Use  of  it ;  and,  pretending 
to  be  our  good  Friend,  he  advised  us,  in 
order  to  prevent  Onas's,  or  any  other  Person's 
imposing  upon  us,  and  that  we  might  always 
have  our  Land  when  we  should  want  it,  to 
put  it  into  his  Hands ;  and  told  us,  he  would 
keep  it  for  our  Use,  and  never  open  his 
Hands,  but  keep  them  close  shut,  and  not 
part  with  any  of  it,  but  at  our  Request. 
Accordingly  we  trusted  him,  and  put  our 
Land  into  his  Hands,  and  charged  him  to 
keep  it  safe  for  our  Use;  but,  some  Time 
after,  he  went  to  England,  and  carried  our 
Land  with  him,  and  there  sold  it  to  our 
Brother  Onas  for  a  large  Sum  of  Money;, 
and  when,  at  the  Instance  of  our  Brother 
Onas,  we  were  minded  to  sell  him  some 
Lands,  he  told  us  we  had  sold  the  Sasqua- 
hannah Lands  already  to  the  Governor  of 
New- York,  and  that  he  had  bought  them 
from  him  in  England;  tho',  when  he  came  to* 
HI 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

understand  how^he  Governor  of  New- York 
had  deceived  us,  he  very  generously  paid  us 
for  our  Lands  over  again. 

Tho'  we  mention  this  Instance  of  an  Im- 
position put  upon  us  by  the  Governor  of  New- 
York,  yet  we  must  do  the  English  the  Justice 
to  say,  we  have  had  their  hearty  Assistances 
in  our  Wars  with  the  French,  who  were  no 
sooner  arrived  amongst  us  than  they  began  to 
render  us  uneasy,  and  to  provoke  us  to  War, 
and  we  had  several  Wars  with  them ;  during 
all  which  we  constantly  received  Assistance 
from  the  English,  and,  by  their  Means,  we 
have  always  been  able  to  keep  up  our  Heads 
against  their  Attacks. 

We  now  come  nearer  home.  We  have  had 
your  Deeds  interpreted  to  us,  and  we  ac- 
knowledge them  to  be  good  and  valid,  and 
that  the  Conestogoe  or  Sasquahannah  Indians 
had  a  Right  to  sell  those  Lands  to  you,  for 
they  were  then  theirs ;  but  since  that  Time 
we  have  conquered  them,  and  their  Country 
now  belongs  to  us,  and  the  Lands  we  de- 
manded Satisfaction  for  are  no  Part  of  the 
Lands  comprized  in  those  Deeds ;  they  are 
the  * Cohongorontas  Lands;  those,  we  are 
sure,  you  have  not  possessed  One  Hundred 
Years,  no,  nor  above  Ten  Years,  and  we 
made  our  Demands  so  soon  as  we  knew  your 

*  Cohongorontas,  i.  e.  Potomack. 
142 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c 

People  were  settled  in  those  Parts.  These 
have  never  been  sold,  but  remain  still  to  be 
disposed  of ;  and  we  are  well  pleased  to  hear 
you  are  provided  with  Goods,  and  do  assure 
you  of  our  Willingness  to  treat  with  you  for 
those  unpurchased  Lands;  in  Confirmation 
whereof,  we  present  you  with  this  Belt  of 
Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
monies. 

Canassatego  added,  that  as  the  three  Gov- 
ernors of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pensyl- 
vania,  had  divided  the  Lands  among  them, 
they  could  not,  for  this  Eeason,  tell  how 
much  each  had  got,  nor  were  they  concerned 
about  it,  so  that  they  were  paid  by  all  the 
Governors  for  the  several  Parts  each  pos- 
sessed, and  this  they  left  to  their  Honour 
and  Justice. 


143 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  27, 
1744,  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS, 
Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Commissioners  of  Virginia  ordered  the 
Interpreter  to  let  the  Indians  know  the 
Government  of  Virginia  was  going  to  speak 
to  them,  and  then  they  spoke  as  follows : 

Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  United  Na- 
tions, our  Friends  and  Brethren, 
AT  our  Desire  the  Governor  of  Pensyl- 
vania  invited  you  to  this  Council  Fire ; 
we  have  waited  a  long  Time  for  you,  but  now 
you  are  come,  you  are  heartily  welcome ;  we 
are  very  glad  to  see  you ;  we  give  you  this 
String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  their  usual  Ap- 
probation. 

Brethren, 

In  the  Year  1736,  four  of  your  Sachems 
wrote  a  Letter  to  James  Logan,  Esq ;   then 
144 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

President  of  Pensylvania,  to  let  the  Governor 
of  Virginia  know  that  you  expected  some 
Consideration  for  Lands  in  the  Occupation  of 
some  of  the  People  of  Virginia.  Upon  see- 
ing a  Copy  of  this  Letter,  the  Governor,  with 
the  Council  of  Virginia,  took  some  Time  to 
consider  of  it.  They  found,  on  looking  into 
the  old  Treaties,  that  you  had  given  up  your 
Lands  to  the  Great  King,  who  has  had  Pos- 
session of  Virginia  above  One  Hundred  and 
Sixty  Years,  and  under  that  Great  King  the 
Inhabitants  of  Virginia  hold  their  Land,  so 
they  thought  there  might  be  some  Mistake. 

Wherefore  they  desired  the  Governor  of 
New-York  to  enquire  of  you  about  it.  He 
sent  his  Interpreter  to  you  in  May,  1743,  who 
laid  this  before  you  at  a  Council  held  at 
Onandago,  to  which  you  answer,  "That  if 
you  had  any  Demand  or  Pretensions  on  the 
Governor  of  Virginia  any  way,  you  would 
have  made  it  known  to  the  Governor  of  New- 
York."  This  corresponds  with  what  you 
have  said  to  Governor  Thomas,  in  the  Treaty 
made  with  him  at  Philadelphia  in  July,  1742 ; 
for  then  you  only  make  your  Claim  to  Lands 
in  the  Government  of  Maryland. 

We  are  so  well  pleased  with  this  good 
Faith  of  you  our  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations 
and  your  Kegard  to  the  Treaties  made  with 
Virginia,  that  we  are  ready  to  hear  you  on 
the  Subject  of  your  Message  eight  years  since. 
Vol.  II.— 10  145 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Tell  us  what  Nations  of  Indians  you  con- 
quered any  Lands  from  in  Virginia,  how 
long  it  is  since,  and  what  Possession  you 
have  had ;  and  if  it  does  appear,  that  there  is 
any  Land  on  the  Borders  of  Virginia  that  the 
Six  Nations  have  a  Right  to,  we  are  willing 
to  make  you  Satisfaction. 

Then  laid  down  a  String  of  Wampum, 
which  was  accepted  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony, and  then  added, 

We  have  a  Chest  of  new  Goods,  and  the 
Key  is  in  our  Pockets.  You  are  our  Breth- 
ren ;  the  Great  King  is  our  common  Father, 
and  we  will  live  with  you,  as  Children  ought 
to  do,  in  Peace  and  Love. 

We  will  brighten  the  Chain,  and  strengthen 
the  Union  between  us ;  so  that  we  shall  never 
be  divided,  but  remain  Friends  and  Brethren 
as  long  as  the  Sun  gives  Light ;  in  Confirma- 
tion whereof,  we  give  you  this  Belt  of  Wam- 
pum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Tachanoontia  replied : 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

You  have  made  a  good  Speech  to  us,  which 
is  very  agreeable,  and  for  which  we  return 
you  our  Thanks.     We  shall  be  able  to  give 
146 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

you  an  Answer  to  every  Part  of  it  some  Time 
this  Afternoon,  and  we  will  let  you  know 
when  we  are  ready. 


In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  27, 
1744,  P.M. 

PEESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEOEGE  THOMAS, 
Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

TACHANOONTIA   spoke  as  follows : 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

SINCE  you  have  joined  with  the  Governor 
of  Maryland  and  Brother  Onas  in  kin- 
dling this  Fire,  we  gladly  acknowledge  the 
Pleasure  we  have  in  seeing  you  here,  and 
observing  your  good  Dispositions  as  well  to 
confirm  the  Treaties  of  Friendship,  as  to  en- 
ter into  further  Contracts  about  Land  with 
us;  and,  in  Token  of  our  Satisfaction,  we 
present  you  with  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
monies. 

147 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Brother  Assaragocb, 

In  your  Speech  this  Morning  you  were 
pleased  to  say  we  had  wrote  a  Letter  to  James 
Logan,  about  seven  Years  ago,  to  demand  a 
Consideration  for  our  Lands  in  the  Posses- 
sion of  some  of  the  Virginians ;  that  you  held 
them  under  the  Great  King  for  upwards  of 
One  Hundred  and  Sixty  Years,  and  that  we 
had  already  given  up  our  Eight;  and  that 
therefore  you  had  desired  the  Governor  of 
New- York  to  send  his  Interpreter  to  us  last 
Year  to  Onandago,  which  he  did;  and,  as 
you  say,  we  in  Council  at  Onandago  did  de- 
clare, that  we  had  no  Demand  upon  you  for 
Lands,  and  that  if  we  had  any  Pretensions, 
we  should  have  made  them  known  to  the 
Governor  of  New- York ;  and  likewise  you  de- 
sire to  know  if  we  have  any  Right  to  the 
Virginia  Lands,  and  that  we  will  make  such 
Eight  appear,  and  tell  you  what  Nations 
of  Indians  we  conquered  those  Lands 
from. 

Now  we  answer,  We  have  the  Eight  of 
Conquest,  a  Eight  too  dearly  purchased,  and 
which  cost  us  too  much  Blood,  to  give  up 
without  any  Eeason  at  all,  as  you  say  we 
have  done  at  Albany;  but  we  should  be 
obliged  to  you,  if  you  would  let  us  see  the 
Letter,  and  inform  us  who  was  the  Interpre- 
ter, and  whose  Names  are  put  to  that  Letter; 
for  as  the  whole  Transaction  cannot  be  above 
148 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

a  Year's  standing,  it  must  be  fresh  in  every 
Body's  Memory,  and  some  of  our  Council 
would  easily  remember  it ;  but  we  assure  you, 
and  are  well  able  to  prove,  that  neither  we, 
nor  any  Part  of  us,  have  ever  relinquished 
our  Right,  or  ever  gave  such  an  Answer  as 
you  say  is  mentioned  in  your  Letter.  Could 
we,  so  few  Years  ago,  make  a  formal  De- 
mand, by  James  Logan,  and  not  be  sensible 
of  our  Eight?  And  hath  any  thing  happened 
since  that  Time  to  make  us  less  sensible? 
No ;  and  as  this  Matter  can  be  easily  cleared 
up,  we  are  anxious  it  should  be  done;  for 
we  are  positive  no  such  thing  was  ever  men- 
tioned to  us  at  Onandago,  nor  any  where 
else.  All  the  World  knows  we  conquered 
the  several  Nations  living  on  Sasquahannah, 
Cohongoronta,  and  on  the  Back  of  the  Great 
Mountains  in  Virginia;  the  Conoy-uch-such- 
roona,  Coch-now-was-roonan,  Tohoa-irough- 
roonan,  and  Connutskin-ough-roonaw,  feel  the 
Effects  of  our  Conquests,  being  now  a  Part  of 
our  Nations,  and  their  Lands  at  our  Disposal. 
We  know  very  well,  it  hath  often  been  said 
by  the  Virginians,  that  the  Great  King  of 
England,  and  the  People  of  that  Colony,  con- 
quered the  Indians  who  lived  there,  but  it  is 
not  true.  We  will  allow  they  have  conquered 
the  Sachdagughroonaw,  and  drove  back  the 
Tuscarroraws,  and  that  they  have,  on  that 
Account,  a  Right  to  some  Part  of  Virginia ; 
149 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

but  as  to  what  lies  beyond  the  Mountains, 
we  conquered  the  Nations  residing  there,  and 
that  Land,  if  the  Virginians  ever  get  a  good 
Right  to  it,  it  must  be  by  us ;  and  in  Testi- 
mony of  the  Truth  of  our  Answer  to  this 
Part  of  your  Speech,  we  give  you  this  String 
of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere" 
mony. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

We  have  given  you  a  full  Answer  to  the 
first  Part  of  your  Speech,  which  we  hope  will 
be  satisfactory.  We  are  glad  to  hear  you 
have  brought  with  you  a  big  Chest  of  new 
Goods,  and  that  you  have  the  Key  in  your 
Pockets.  We  do  not  doubt  but  we  shall  have 
a  good  Understanding  in  all  Points,  and  come 
to  an  Agreement  with  you. 

We  shall  open  all  our  Hearts  to  you,  that 
you  may  know  every  thing  in  them ;  we  will 
hide  nothing  from  you ;  and  we  hope,  if  there 
be  any  thing  still  remaining  in  your  Breast 
that  may  occasion  any  Dispute  between  us, 
you  will  take  the  Opportunity  to  unbosom 
your  Hearts,  and  lay  them  open  to  us,  that 
henceforth  there  may  be  no  Dirt,  nor  any 
other  Obstacle  in  the  Road  between  us ;  and 
in  Token  of  our  hearty  Wishes  to  bring  about 
so  good  an  Harmony,  we  present  you  with 
this  Belt  of  Wampum. 
150 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Brother  Assaragoa^ 

We  must  now  tell  you  what  Mountains  we 
mean  that  we  say  are  the  Boundaries  between 
you  and  us.  You  may  remember,  that  about 
twenty  Years  ago  you  had  a  Treaty  with  us 
at  Albany,  when  you  took  a  Belt  of  Wam- 
pum, and  made  a  Fence  with  it  on  the  Mid- 
dle of  the  Hill,  and  told  us,  that  if  any  of  the 
Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations  came  on  your 
Side  of  the  Middle  of  the  Hill,  you  would 
hang  them ;  and  you  gave  us  Liberty  to  do 
the  same  with  any  of  your  People  who  should 
be  found  on  our  Side  of  the  Middle  of  the 
Hill.  This  is  the  Hill  we  mean,  and  we  de- 
sire that  Treaty  may  be  now  confirmed. 
Afer  we  left  Albany,  we  brought  our  Road  a 
great  deal  more  to  the  West,  that  we  might 
comply  with  your  Proposal ;  but,  tho'  it  was 
of  your  own  making,  your  People  never  ob- 
served it,  but  came  and  lived  on  our  Side  of 
the  Hill,  which  we  don't  blame  you  for,  as 
you  live  at  a  great  Distance,  near  the  Seas, 
and  cannot  be  thought  to  know  what  your 
People  do  iu  the  Back-parts :  And  on  their 
settling,  contrary  to  our  own  Proposal,  on 
our  new  Eoad,  it  fell  out  that  our  Warriors 
did  some  Hurt  to  your  People's  Cattle,  of 
which  a  Complaint  was  made,  and  transmitted 
151 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  us  by  our  Brother  Onas ;  and  we,  at  his 
Request,  altered  the  Road  again,  and  brought 
it  to  the  Foot  of  the  Great  Mountain,  where 
it  now  is ;  and  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  re- 
move it  any  further  to  the  West,  those  Parts 
of  the  Country  being  absolutely  impassable  by 
either  Man  or  Beast. 

We  had  not  been  long  in  the  Use  of  this 
new  Road  before  your  People  came,  like 
Flocks  of  Birds,  and  sat  down  on  both  Sides 
of  it,  and  yet  we  never  made  a  Complaint  to 
you,  tho'  you  must  be  sensible  those  Things 
must  have  been  done  by  your  People  in  man- 
ifest Breach  of  your  own  Proposal  made  at 
Albany ;  and  therefore,  as  we  are  now  open- 
ing our  Hearts  to  you,  we  cannot  avoid  com- 
plaining, and  desire  all  these  Affairs  may  be 
settled,  and  that  you  maybe  stronger  induced 
to  do  us  Justice  for  what  is  past,  and  to  come 
to  a  thorough  Settlement  for  the  future,  we, 
in  the  Presence  of  the  Governor  of  Maryland, 
and  Brother  Onas,  present  you  with  this  Belt 
of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Then  Tachanoontia  added : 

That  he  forgot  to  say,  that  the  Affair  of 
the  Road  must  be  looked  upon  as  a  Prelimi- 
nary to  be  settled  before  the  Grant  of  Lands ; 
and,  said  he,  either  the  Virginia  People  must 
152 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

be  obliged  to  remove  more  Easterly,  or,  if 
they  are  permitted  to  stay,  our  Warriors, 
marching  that  Way  to  the  Southward,  shall 
go  Sharers  with  them  in  what  they  plant. 


In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  28, 

1744.  A.M. 

PRESENT, 
I 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS, 
Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Governor  spoke  as  follows. 

Friends  and  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations, 

I  AM  always  sorry  when  any  thing  happens 
that  may  create  the  least  Uneasiness  be- 
tween us ;  but  as  we  are  mutually  engaged  to 
keep  the  Road  between  us  clear  and  open, 
and  to  remove  every  Obstruction  that  may  lie 
in  the  Way,  I  must  inform  you,  that  three  of 
the  Delaware  Indians  lately  murdered  John 
Armstrong,  an  Indian  Trader,  and  his  two 
Men,  in  a  most  barbarous  Manner,  as  he  was 
153 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

travelling  to  Allegheny,  and  stole  his  Goods 
of  a  considerable  Value.  Shick  Calamy,  and 
the  Indians  settled  at  Shamokin,  did  well; 
they  seized  two  of  the  Murderers,  and  sent 
them  down  to  our  Settlements ;  but  the  In- 
dians, who  had  the  Charge  of  them,  after- 
wards suffered  one  of  them  to  escape,  on  a 
Pretence  that  he  was  not  concerned  in  the 
bloody  Deed ;  the  other  is  now  in  Philadel- 
phia Goal.  By  our  Law  all  the  Accessaries 
to  a  Murder  are  to  be  tried,  and  put  to  Death, 
as  well  as  the  Person  who  gave  the  deadly 
Wound.  If  they  consented  to  it,  encouraged 
it,  or  any  ways  assisted  in  it,  they  are  to  be 
put  to  Death,  and  it  is  just  it  should  be  so. 
If,  upon  Trial,  the  Persons  present  afc  the 
Murder  are  found  not  to  have  done  any  of 
these  Things,  they  are  set  at  Liberty.  Two 
of  our  People  were,  not  many  Years  ago, 
publickly  put  to  Death  for  killing  two  In- 
dians ;  we  therefore  expect  you  will  take  the 
most  effectual  Measures  to  seize  and  deliver 
up  to  us  the  other  two  Indians  present  at 
these  Murders,  to  be  tried  with  the  Principal 
now  in  Custody.  If  it  shall  appear,  upon 
their  Trial,  that  they  were  not  advising,  or 
any  way  assisting  in  this  horrid  fact,  they 
will  be  acquitted,  and  sent  home  to  their 
Towns.  And  that  you  may  be  satisfied  no 
Injustice  will  be  done  to  them,  I  do  now  in- 
vite you  to  depute  three  or  four  Indians  to 
154 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

be  present  at  their  Trials.  I  do  likewise  ex- 
pect that  you  will  order  strict  Search  to  be 
made  for  the  Eemainder  of  the  stolen  Goods, 
that  they  may  be  restored  to  the  Wife  and 
Children  of  the  Deceased.  That  what  I  have 
said  may  have  its  due  Weight  with  you,  I 
give  you  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  accepted  with  the  Yo-hah. 

The  Governor  afterwards  ordered  the  In- 
terpreter to  tell  them,  he  expected  a  very  full 
Answer  from  them,  and  that  they  might  take 
their  own  Time  to  give  it ;  for  he  did  not 
desire  to  interfere  with  the  Business  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland. 

They  said  they  would  take  it  into  Consid- 
eration, and  give  a  full  Answer. 

Then  the  Commissioners  of  Virginia  let 
them  know,  by  the  Interpreter,  that  they 
would  speak  to  them  in  the  Afternoon. 


155 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
i 


In  the  Court- House  Chamber  at  Lancaster, 
June  28,  1744.  P.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable   the    Commissioners    of 

Maryland. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Commissioners  desired  the  Interpreter  to 
tell  the  Indians  they  were  going  to  speak 
to  them.  Mr.  Weiser  acquainted  them 
herewith.  After  which  the  said  Commis- 
sioners spoke  as  follows : 

Our    good    Friends    and    Brethren,  the   Six 
united  Nations 9 

WE  have  considered  what  you  said  con- 
cerning your  Title  to  some  Lands 
now  in  our  Province,  and  also  of  the  Place 
where  they  lie.  Altho'  we  cannot  admit  your 
Right,  yet  we  are  so  resolved  to  live  in  Broth- 
erly Love  and  Affection  with  the  Six  Nations, 
that  upon  your  giving  us  a  Release  in  Writ- 
ing of  all  your  Claim  to  any  Lands  in  Mary- 
land, we  shall  make  you  a  Compensation  to 
the  Value  of  Three  Hundred  Pounds  Cur- 
rency, for  the  Payment  of  Part  whereof  we 
have  brought  some  Goods,  and  shall  make  up 
the  rest  in  what  Manner  you  think  fit. 
As  we  intend  to  say  something  to  you 
156 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

about  our  Chain  of  Friendship  after  this  Af- 
fair of  the  Land  is  settled,  we  desire  you  will 
now  examine  the  Goods,  and  make  an  End 
of  this  Matter. 

We  will  not  omit  acquainting  our  good 
Friends  the  Six  Nations,  that  notwithstanding 
we  are  likely  to  come  to  an  Agreement  about 
your  Claim  of  Lands,  yet  your  Brethren  of 
Maryland  look  on  you  to  be  as  one  Soul  and 
one  Body  with  themselves ;  and  as  a  broad 
Road  will  be  made  between  us,  we  shall  al- 
ways be  desirous  of  keeping  it  clear,  that  we 
may,  from  Time  to  Time,  take  care  that  the 
Links  of  our  Friendship  be  not  rusted.  la 
Testimony  that  our  Words  and  our  Hearts 
agree,  we  give  you  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

On  presenting  of  which  the  Indians  gave 
the  usual  Cry  of  Approbation. 

Mr.  Weiser  acquainted  the  Indians,  they 
might  now  look  over  the  several  Goods  placed 
on  a  Table  in  the  Chamber  for  that  Purpose ; 
and  the  honourable  Commissioners  bid  him 
tell  them,  if  they  disliked  any  of  the  Goods, 
or,  if  they  were  damaged,  the  Commissioners 
would  put  a  less  Price  on  such  as  were  either 
disliked  or  damnified. 

The  Indians  having  viewed  and  examined 

the  Goods,  and  seeming  dissatisfied  at  the 

Price  and  Worth  of  them,  required  Time  to 

go  down  into  the  Court-House,  in  order  for  a 

157 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Consultation  to  Be  had  by  the  Chiefs  of  them 
concerning  the  said  Goods,  and  likewise  that 
the  Interpreter  might  retire  with  them,  which 
he  did.  Accordingly  they  went  down  into 
the  Court-House,  and  soon  after  returned 
again  into  the  Chamber. 

Mr.  Weiser  sat  down  among  the  Indians, 
and  discoursed  them  about  the  Goods,  and  in 
some  short  Time  after  they  chose  the  follow- 
ing from  among  the  others,  and  the  Price 
agreed  to  be  given  for  them  by  the  Six  Na- 
tions was,  viz. 

I     s.     d. 

Four  Pieces  of  Strowds,  at  7 1 28    00    00 

Two  Pieces  Ditto,  51 10    00    00 

Two  Hundred  Shirts 63    12    00 

Three  Pieces  Half-Thicks 11    00    00 

Three  Pieces  Duffle  Blankets,  at  7 1 21    00    00 

One  Piece  Ditto 6    10    00 

Forty  Seven  Guns,  at  1 1.  6s 61    02    00 

One  Pound  of  Vermillion 00    18    00 

One  Thousand  Flints 00    18    00 

Four  Dozen  Jews  Harps 00    14    00 

One  Dozen  Boxes 00      1    00 

One  Hundred  Two  Quarters  Bar-Lead..     3    00    00 

Two  Quarters  Shot 1    00    00 

Two  Half -Barrels  of  Gun-Powder 13    00    00 

220    15    00 
Pensylvannia  Currency. 

When  the  Indians  had  agreed  to  take  these 
Goods  at  the  Kates  above  specified,  they  in- 
formed the  Interpreter,  that  they  would  give 
an  Answer  to  the  Speech  made  to  them  this 
158 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Morning  by  the  honourable  the  Commissioned 
of  Maryland,  but  did  not  express  the  Tint 
when  such  Answer  should  be  made.  At  lis 
o'Clock  the  Commissioners  departed  the 
Chamber. 


In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  28, 
1744.  P.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable    GEORGE     THOMAS, 

Esq;  Governor,  &c. 
The    Honourable    the    Commissioners    of 

Virginia. 
The    Honourable    the    Commissioners  of 

Maryland. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Commissioners  of  Virginia  desired  the 
Interpreter  to  let  the  Indians  know,  that 
their  Brother  Assaragoa  was  now  going  to 
give  his  Reply  to  their  Answer  to  his  first 
Speech,  delivered  them  the  Day  before  in 
the  Eorenoon. 

Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  united  Six  Na- 
tions, 

WE   are  now  come  to  answer  what  you 
said  to  us  Yesterday,  since  what  we 
said  to  you  before  on  the  Part  of  the  Great 
King,  our  Father,  has  not  been  satisfactory. 
159 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

You  have  gone  into  old  Times,  and  so  must 

we.  It  is  true  that  the  Great  King  holds 
Virginia  by  Right  of  Conquest,  and  the 
Bounds  of  that  Conquest  to  the  Westward  is 
the  Great  Sea. 

If  the  Six  Nations  have  made  any  Con- 
quest over  Indians  that  may  at  any  Time 
have  lived  on  the  West-side  of  the  Great 
Mountains  of  Virginia,  yet  they  never  pos- 
sessed any  Lands  there  that  we  have  ever 
heard  of.  That  Part  was  altogether  deserted, 
and  free  for  any  People  to  enter  upon,  as  the 
People  of  Virginia  have  done,  by  Order  of 
the  Great  King,  very  justly,  as  well  by  an- 
cient Right,  as  by  its  being  freed  from  the 
possession  of  any  other,  and  from  any  claim 
even  of  you  the  Six  Nations,  our  Brethren, 
until  within  these  eight  Years.  The  first 
Treaty  between  the  Great  King,  in  Behalf 
of  his  Subjects  of  Virginia,  and  you,  that  we 
can  find,  was  made  at  Albany,  by  Colonel 
Henry  Coursey,  Seventy  Years  since;  this 
was  a  Treaty  of  Friendship,  when  the  first 
Covenant  Chain  was  made,  when  we  and 
you  became  Brethren. 

The  next  Treaty  was  also  at  Albany, 
above  Fifty-eight  Years  ago,  by  the  Lord 
Howard,  Governor  of  Virginia ;  then  you  de- 
clared yourselves  Subjects  to  the  Great  King, 
our  Father,  and  gave  up  to  him  all  your 
Lands  for  his  Protection.  This  you  own  in 
160 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

a  Treaty  made  by  the  Governor  of  New- York 
with  you  at  the  same  Place  in  the  Year  1687, 
and  you  express  yourself  in  these  Words, 
"  Brethren,  you  tell  us  the  King  of  England 
is  a  very  great  King,  and  why  should  not 
you  join  with  us  in  a  very  just  Cause,  when 
the  French  join  with  our  Enemies  in  an  un- 
just Cause?  O  Brethren,  we  see  the  Reason 
of  this ;  for  the  French  would  fain  kill  us  all, 
and  when  that  is  done,  they  would  carry  all 
the  Beaver  Trade  to  Canada,  and  the  Great 
King  of  England  would  lose  the  Land  like- 
wise; and  therefore,  O  Great  Sachem,  be- 
yond the  Great  Lakes,  awake,  and  suffer  not 
those  poor  Indians,  that  have  given  them- 
selves and  their  Lands  under  your  Protec- 
tion, to  be  destroyed  by  the  French  without 
a  Cause." 

The  last  Treaty  we  shall  speak  to  you 
about  is  that  made  at  Albany  by  Governor 
Spotswood,  which  you  have  not  recited  as  it 
is :  For  the  white  People,  your  Brethreu  of 
Virginia,  are,  in  no  Article  of  that  Treaty, 
prohibited  to  pass,  and  settle  to  the  West- 
ward of  the  Great  Mountains.  It  is  the  In- 
dians, tributary  to  Virginia,  that  are  re- 
strained, as  you  and  your  tributary  Indians 
are  from  passing  to  the  Eastward  of  the 
same  Mountains,  or  to  the  Southward  of 
Cohongorooton,  and  you  agree  to  this  Article 
in  these  Words ;  "  That  the  Great  River  of 
Vol.  II.— 11  161 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Potowmack,  and  the  high  Ridge  of  Moun- 
tains, which  extend  all  along  the  Frontiers 
of  Virginia  to  the  Westward  of  the  present 
Settlements  of  that  Colony,  shall  be  for  ever 
the  established  Boundaries  between  the  In- 
dians subject  to  the  Dominions  of  Virginia, 
and  the  Indians  belonging  to  and  depending 
on  the  Five  Nations ;  so  that  neither  our  In- 
dians shall  on  any  Pretence  whatsoever,  pass 
to  Northward  or  Westward  of  the  said  Boun- 
daries, without  having  to  produce  a  Passport 
under  the  Hand  and  Seal  of  the  Governor  or 
Commander  in  Chief  of  Virginia;  nor  your 
Indians  to  pass  to  the  Southward  or  East- 
ward of  the  said  Boundaries,  without  a  Pass- 
port in  like  Manner  from  the  Governor  or 
Commander  in  Chief  of  New-York." 

And  what  Eight  can  you  have  to  Lands 
that  you  have  no  Right  to  walk  upon,  but 
upon  certain  Conditions?  It  is  true,  you 
have  not  observed  this  Part  of  the  Treaty, 
and  your  Brethren  of  Virginia  have  not  in- 
sisted upon  it  with  a  due  Strictness,  which 
has  occasioned  some  Mischief. 

This  Treaty  has  been  sent  to  the  Governor 
of  Virginia  by  Order  of  the  Great  King,  and 
is  what  we  must  rely  on,  and,  being  in  Writ- 
ing, is  more  certain  than  your  Memory. 
That  is  the  Way  the  white  People  have  of 
preserving  Transactions  of  every  Kind,  and 
transmitting  them  down  to  their  Childrens 
163 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Children  for  ever,  and  all  Disputes  among 
them  are  settled  by  this  faithful  kind  of  Evi- 
dence, and  must  be  the  Rule  between  the 
Great  King  and  you.  This  Treaty  your 
Sachems  and  Warriors  signed  some  Years 
after  the  same  Governor  Spotswood,  in  the 
Right  of  the  Great  King,  had  been,  with 
some  People  of  Virginia,  in  Possession  of 
these  very  Lands,  which  you  have  set  up 
your  late  Claim  to. 

The  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs  at 
Albany  gave  the  Account  we  mentioned  to  you 
Yesterday  to  the  Governor  of  New- York,  and 
he  sent  it  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia ;  their 
Names  will  be  given  you  by  the  Interpreter. 

Brethren, 

This  Dispute  is  not  between  Virginia  and 
you;  it  is  setting  up  your  Right  against  the 
Great  King,  under  whose  Grants  the  People 
you  complain  of  are  settled.  Nothing  but  a 
Command  from  the  Great  King  can  remove 
them ;  they  are  too  powerful  to  be  removed 
by  any  Force  of  you,  our  Brethren ;  and  the 
Great  King,  as  our  common  Father,  will  do 
equal  Justice  to  all  his  Children ;  wherefore 
we  do  believe  they  will  be  confirmed  in  their 
Possessions. 

As  to  the  Road  you  mention,  we  intended 
to  prevent  any  Occasion  for  it,  by  making  a 
Peace  between  you  and  the  Southern  Indians, 
163 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

a  few  Years  since,  at  a  considerable  Expence 
to  our  Great  King,  which  you  confirmed  at 
Albany.  It  seems,  by  your  being  at  War 
with  the  Catawbas,  that  it  has  not  been  long 
kept  between  you. 

However,  if  you  desire  a  Road,  we  will 
agree  to  one  on  the  Terms  of  the  Treaty  you 
made  with  Colonel  Spotswood,  and  your 
People,  behaving  themselves  orderly  like 
Friends  and  Brethren,  shall  be  used  in  their 
Passage  through  Virginia  with  the  same  Kind- 
ness as  they  are  when  they  pass  through  the 
Lands  of  your  Brother  Onas.  This  we  hope, 
will  be  agreed  to  by  you  our  Brethren,  and 
we  will  abide  by  the  Promise  made  to  you 
Yesterday. 

We  may  proceed  to  settle  what  we  are  to 
give  you  for  any  Right  you  may  have,  or 
have  had  to  all  the  Lands  to  the  Southward 
and  Westward  of  the  Lands  of  your  Brother 
the  Governor  of  Maryland,  and  of  your 
Brother  Onas ;  tho'  we  are  informed  that  the 
Southern  Indians  claim  these  very  Lands  that 
you  do. 

We  are  desirous  to  live  with  you,  our 
Brethren,  according  to  the  old  Chain  of 
Friendship,  to  settle  all  these  Matters  fairly 
and  honestly ;  and,  as  a  Pledge  of  our  Sin- 
cerity, we  give  you  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

164 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

In  the  Court-House  Chamber  at  Lancaster, 
June  29,  1744,  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable    the    Commissioners  of 

Maryland. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 
Mr.  Weiser  informed  the  honourable  Com- 
missioners that  the  Indians  were  ready  to 
give  their  Answer  to  the  Speech  made  to 
them  here  Yesterday  Morning  by  the  Com- 
missioners; whereupon  Canassatego  spoke 
as  follows,  looking  on  a  Deal-board,  where 
were   some   black   Lines,    describing    the 
Courses  of  Potowmack  and  Sasquahanna: 

Brethren, 

YESTERDAY  you  spoke  to  us  concerning 
the  Lands  on  this  Side  Potowmack 
River,  and  as  we  have  deliberately  considered 
what  you  said  to  us  on  that  Matter,  we  are 
now  very  ready  to  settle  the  Bounds  of  such 
Lands,  and  release  our  Right  and  Claim 
thereto. 

We  are  willing  to  renounce  all  Right  to 
Lord  Baltimore  of  all  those  Lands  lying  two 
Miles  above  the  uppermost  Fork  of  Potow- 
mack or  Cohongoruton  River,  near  which 
Thomas  Cressap  has  a  hunting  or  trading 
165 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Cabin,  by  a  North-line,  to  the  Bounds  of 
Pensylvania.  But  in  case  such  Limits  shall 
not  include  every  Settlement  or  Inhabitant  of 
Maryland,  then  such  other  Lines  and  Courses, 
from  the  said  two  Miles  above  the  Forks,  to 
the  outermost  Inhabitants  or  Settlements,  as 
shall  include  every  Settlement  and  Inhabi- 
tant in  Maryland,  and  from  thence,  by  a 
North -line,  to  the  Bounds  of  Pensylvannia, 
shall  be  the  Limits.  And  further,  If  any 
People  already  have,  or  shall  settle  beyond 
the  Lands  now  described  and  bounded,  they 
shall  enjoy  the  same  free  from  any  Disturb- 
ance whatever,  and  we  do,  and  shall  accept 
these  People  for  our  Brethren,  and  as  such 
always  treat  them. 

We  earnestly  desire  to  live  with  you  as 
Brethren,  and  hope  you  will  shew  us  all 
Brotherly  Kindness;  in  Token  whereof,  we 
present  you  with  a  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Soon  after  the  Commissioners  and  Indians 
departed  from  the  Court-House  Chamber. 


166 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

In  the  Court-House  Chamber  at  Lancaster, 
Tune  30,  1744.  A.M. 

PRESENT, 
The    Honourable    the    Commissioners   of 

Virginia. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

Gachradodow,  Speaker  for  the  Indians,  in 
answer  to  the  Commissioners  Speech  at  the 
last  Meeting,  with  a  strong  Voice,  and 
proper  Action,  spoke  as  follows : 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

THE  World  at  the  first  was  made  on  the 
other  Side  of  the  Great  Water  differ- 
ent from  what  it  is  on  this  Side,  as  may  be 
known  from  the  different  Colours  of  our 
Skin,  and  of  our  Flesh,  and  that  which  you 
call  Justice  may  not  be  so  amongst  us ;  you 
have  your  Laws  and  Customs,  and  so  have 
we.  The  Great  King  might  send  you  over 
to  conquer  the  Indians,  but  it  looks  to  us 
that  God  did  not  approve  of  it ;  if  he  had,  he 
would  not  have  placed  the  Sea  where  it  is, 
as  the  Limits  between  us  and  you. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

Tho'   great  Things  are  well   remembered 
among  us,  yet  we  don't  remember  that  we 
167 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

were  ever  conquered  by  the  Great  King,  or 

that  we  have  been  employed  by  that  Great 
King  to  conquer  others ;  if  it  was  so,  it  is 
beyond  our  Memory.  We  do  remember  we 
were  employed  by  Maryland  to  conquer  the 
Conestogoes,  and  that  the  second  time  we 
were  at  War  with  them,  we  carried  them  all 
off. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

You  charge  us  with  not  acting  agreeable  to 
our  Peace  with  the  Catawbas,  we  will  repeat 
to  you  truly  what  was  done.  The  Governor 
of  New-York,  at  Albany,  in  Behalf  of  Assar- 
agoa, gave  us  several  Belts  of  Wampum  from 
the  Cherikees  and  Catawbas,  and  we  agreed 
to  a  Peace,  if  those  Nations  would  send  some 
of  their  great  Men  to  us  to  confirm  it  Face  to 
Face,  and  that  they  would  trade  with  us ;  and 
desired  that  they  would  appoint  a  Time  to 
meet  at  Albany  for  that  Purpose,  but  they 
never  came. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

We  then  desired  a  Letter  might  be  sent  to 
the  Catawbas  and  Cherikees,  to  desire  them 
to  come  and  confirm  the  Peace.  It  was  long 
before  an  Answer  came;  but  we  met  the 
Cherikees,  and  confirmed  the  Peace,  and  sent 
some  of  our  People  to  take  care  of  them, 
until  they  returned  to  their  own  Country. 
168 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

The  Catawbas  refused  to  come,  and  sent  us 
word,  That  we  were  but  Women,  that  they 
were  Men,  and  double  Men,  that  they  could 
make  Women  of  us,  and  would  be  always  at 
War  with  us.  They  are  a  deceitful  People. 
Our  Brother  Assaragoa  is  deceived  by  them ; 
we  don't  blame  him  for  it,  but  are  sorry  he 
is  so  deceived. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

We  have  confirmed  the  Peace  with  the 
Cherikees,  but  not  with  the  Catawbas.  They 
have  been  treacherous,  and  know  it ;  so  that 
the  War  must  continue  till  one  of  us  is  de- 
stroyed. This  we  think  proper  to  tell  you, 
that  you  may  not  be  troubled  at  what  we  do 
to  the  Catawbas. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

We  will  now  speak  to  the  Point  between 
us.  You  say  you  will  agree  with  us  as  to 
the  Road ;  we  desire  that  may  be  the  Eoad 
which  was  last  made  (the  Waggon-Road.) 
It  is  always,  a  Custom  among  Brethren  or 
Strangers  to  use  each  other  kindly ;  you  have 
some  very  ill-natured  People  living  up  there ; 
so  that  we  desire  the  Persons  in  Power  may 
know  that  we  are  to  have  reasonable  Victuals 
when  we  are  in  want. 

You  know  very  well,  when  the  white  Peo- 
ple came  first  here  they  were  poor ;  but  now 
169 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

they  have  got  our  Lands,  and  are  by  them 
become  rich,  and  we  are  now  poor;  what 
little  we  have  had  for  the  Land  goes  soon 
away,  but  the  Land  lasts  for  ever.  You  told 
us  you  had  brought  with  you  a  Chest  of 
Goods,  and  that  you  have  the  Key  in  your 
Pockets ;  but  we  have  never  seen  the  Chest, 
nor  the  Goods  that  are  said  to  be  in  it ;  it 
may  be  small,  and  the  Goods  few ;  we  want 
to  see  them,  and  are  desirous  to  come  to  some 
Conclusion.  We  have  been  sleeping  here 
these  ten  Days  past,  and  have  not  done  any 
thing  to  the  Purpose. 

The  Commissioners  told  them  they  should 
see  the  Goods  on  Monday. 

In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  June  30, 
1744,  P.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable    GEORGE     THOMAS, 

Esq;  Governor,  &c. 
The  Honourable  Commissioner  of  Virginia. 
The    Honourable    the    Commissioners  of 

Maryland. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

THE   three  Governments  entertained  the 
Indians,    and   all  the    Gentlemen    in 
Town,  with  a  handsome  Dinner.     The  Six 
Nations,   in    their  Order,   having   returned 
170 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Thanks  with  the  usual  Solemnity  of  Yo* 
ha-han,  the  Interpreter  informed  the  Gov- 
ernor and  the  Commissioners,  that  as  the 
Lord  Proprietor  and  Governor  of  Maryland 
was  not  known  to  the  Indians  by  any  partic- 
ular Name,  they  had  agreed,  in  Council,  to 
take  the  first  Opportunity  of  a  large  Com- 
pany to  present  him  with  one ;  and  as  this 
with  them  is  deemed  a  Matter  of  great  Con- 
sequence, and  attended  with  Abundance  of 
Form,  the  several  Nations  had  drawn  Lots 
for  the  Performance  of  the  Ceremony,  and 
the  Lot  falling  on  the  Cayogo  Nation,  they 
had  chosen  Gachradodow,  one  of  their  Chiefs, 
to  be  their  Speaker,  and  he  desired  Leave  to 
begin ;  which  being  given,  he,  on  an  elevated 
Part  of  the  Court-House,  with  all  the  Dignity 
of  a  Warrior,  the  Gesture  of  an  Orator,  and 
in  a  very  graceful  Posture,  said  that : 

"  As  the  Governor  of  Maryland  had  invited 
them  here  to  treat  about  their  Lands,  and 
brighten  the  Chain  of  Friendship,  the  united 
Nations  thought  themselves  so  much  obliged 
to  them,  that  they  had  come  to  a  Resolution 
in  Council  to  give  to  the  great  Man,  who  is 
Proprietor  of  Maryland,  a  particular  Name, 
by  which  they  might  hereafter  correspond 
with  him ;  and  as  it  had  fallen  to  the  Cayo- 
goes  Lot  in  Council  to  consider  of  a  proper 
Name  for  that  chief  Man,  they  had  agreed  to 
give  him  the  Name  of  Tocarry-hogan,  denot- 
171 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
i 
ing  Precedency,  Excellency,  or  living  in  the 
middle  or  honourable  Place  betwixt  Assar- 
agoa  and  their  Brother  Onas,  by  whom  their 
Treaties  might  be  better  carried  on."  And 
then,  addressing  himself  to  his  Honour  the 
Governor  of  Pensylvania,  the  honourable  the 
Commissioners  of  Virginia  and  Maryland, 
and  to  the  Gentlemen  then  present,  he  pro- 
ceeded : 

"  As  there  is  a  Company  of  great  Men  now 
assembled,  we  take  this  Time  and  Opportu- 
nity to  publish  this  Matter,  that  it  may  be 
known  Tocarry-hogan  is  our  Friend,  and  that 
we  are  ready  to  honour  him,  and  that  by 
such  Name  he  may  be  always  called  and 
known  among  us.  And  we  hope  he  will  ever 
act  towards  us  according  to  the  Excellency 
of  the  Name  we  have  now  given  him,  and  en- 
joy a  long  and  happy  Life." 

The  honourable  the  Governor  and  Commis- 
sioners, and  all  the  Company  present,  re- 
turned the  Compliment  with  three  Huzza' s, 
and,  after  drinking  Healths  to  our  gracious 
King  and  the  Six  Nations,  the  Commission- 
ers of  Maryland  proceeded  to  Business  in  the 
Court-House  Chamber  with  the  Indians, 
where  Conrad  Weiser,  the  Interpreter,  was 
present. 

The  honourable  the  Commissioners  ordered 
Mr.  Weiser  to  tell  the  Indians,  that  a  Deed, 
releasing  all  their  Claim  and  Title  to  certain 
178 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Lands  lying  in  the  Province  of  Maryland, 
which  by  them  was  agreed  to  be  given  and 
executed  for  the  Use  of  the  Lord  Baron  of 
Baltimore,  Lord  Proprietary  of  that  Prov- 
ince, was  now  on  the  Table,  and  Seals  ready 
fixed  thereto.  The  Interpreter  acquainted 
them  therewith  as  desired,  and  then  gave  the 
Deed  to  Canassatego,  the  Speaker,  who  made 
his  Mark,  and  put  his  Seal,  and  delivered  it ; 
after  which,  thirteen  other  Chiefs  or  Sachems 
of  the  Six  Nations  executed  it  in  the  same 
Manner,  in  the  Presence  of  the  honourable 
the  Commissioners  of  Virginia,  and  divers 
other  Gentlemen  of  that  Colony,  and  of  the 
Provinces  of  Pensylvania  and  Maryland. 

At  the  House  of  Mr.  George  Sanderson  in 
Lancaster,  July  2,  1744,  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable    the    Commissioners   of 

Maryland. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

THE  several  Chiefs  of  the  Indians  of  the 
Six  Nations,  who  had  not  signed  the 
Deed  of  Release  of  their  Claim  to  some 
Lands  in  Maryland,  tendered  to  them  on  Sat- 
urday last,  in  the  Chamber  of  the  Court- 
House  in  this  Town,  did  now  readily  execute 
the  same,  and  caused  Mr.  Weiser  likewise  to 
173 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


sign  it,  as  well  with  his  Indian,  as  with  his 
own  proper  Name  of  Weiser,  as  a  Witness 
and  Interpreter. 

In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  July  2, 
1744,  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS, 
Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

Canassatego  spoke  as  follows : 
Brother  Onas, 

THE  other  Day  you  was  pleased  to  tell 
us,  you  were  always  concerned  when- 
ever any  thing  happened  that  might  give  you 
or  us  Uneasiness,  and  that  we  were  mutually 
engaged  to  preserve  the  Road  open  and  clear 
between  us ;  and  you  informed  us  of  the  Mur- 
der of  John  Armstrong,  and  his  two  Men,  by 
some  of  the  Delaware  Indians,  and  of  their 
stealing  his  Goods  to  a  considerable  Value. 
The  Delaware  Indians,  as  you  suppose,  are 
under  our  Power.  We  join  with  you  in  your 
Concern  for  such  a  vile  Proceeding ;  and,  to 
174 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

testify  that  we  have  the  same  Inclinations 
with  you  to  keep  the  Road  clear,  free  and 
open,  we  give  you  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Brother  Onas, 

These  Things  happen  frequently,  and  we 
desire  you  will  consider  them  well,  and  not 
be  too  much  concerned.  Three  Indians  have 
been  killed  at  different  Times  at  Ohio  and  we 
never  mentioned  any  of  them  to  you,  imagin- 
ing it  might  have  been  occasioned  by  some 
unfortunate  Quarrels,  and  being  unwilling  to 
create  a  Disturbance.  We  therefore  desire 
you  will  consider  these  Things  well,  and,  to 
take  the  Grief  from  your  Heart,  we  give  you 
this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
monies. 

Brother  Onas, 

We  have  heard  of  the  Murder  of  John 
Armstrong,  and,  in  our  Journey  here,  we  had 
Conference  with  our  Cousins  the  Delawares 
about  it,  and  reproved  them  severely  for  it, 
and  charged  them  to  go  down  to  our  Brother 
Onas,  and  make  him  Satisfaction,  both  for 
the  Men  that  were  killed,  and  for  the  Goods. 
We  understood,  by  them,  that  the  principal 
Actor  in  these  Murders  is  in  your  Prison,  and 
175 


THE  ^ISTORY  OF  THE 

that  lie  had  done  all  the  Mischief  himself; 
but  that  besides  him,  you  had  required  and 
demanded  two  others  who  were  in  his  Com- 
pany when  the  Murders  were  committed.  We 
promise  faithfully,  in  our  Keturn,  to  renew 
our  Reproofs,  and  to  charge  the  Delawares 
to  send  down  some  of  their  Chiefs  with  these 
two  young  Men  (but  not  as  Prisoners)  to  be 
examined  by  you;  and  as  we  think,  upon 
Examination,  you  will  not  find  them  guilty, 
we  rely  on  your  Justice  not  to  do  them  any 
Harm,  but  to  permit  them  to  return  home 
in  Safety. 

We  likewise  understand,  that  Search  has 
been  made  for  the  Goods  belonging  to  the 
Deceased,  and  that  some  have  been  already 
returned  to  your  People,  but  that  some  are 
still  missing.  You  may  depend  upon  our 
giving  the  strictest  Charge  to  the  Delawares 
to  search  again  with  more  Diligence  for  the 
Goods,  and  to  return  them,  or  the  Value  of 
them,  in  Skins.  And,  to  confirm  what  we 
have  said,  we  give  you  this  String  of  Wam- 
pum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
monies. 

Brother  Onas, 

The  Conoy  Indians  have  informed  us,  that 
they  sent  you  a  Message,  some  Time  ago,  to 
advise  you,  that  they  were  ill  used  by  the 
176 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

white  People  in  the  Place  where  they  had 
lived,  and  that  they  had  come  to  a  Resolu- 
tion of  removing  to  Shamokin,  and  requested 
some  small  Satisfaction  for  their  Land ;  and 
as  they  never  have  received  any  Answer  from 
you,  they  have  desired  us  to  speak  for  them ; 
we  heartily  recommend  their  Case  to  your 
Generosity.  And,  to  give  Weight  to  our 
Recommendation,  we  present  you  with  this 
String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

The  Governor  having  conferred  a  little  Time 
with  the  honourable  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland,  made  the  following 
Reply: 

Brethren, 

I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  agree  with  me 
in  the  Necessity  of  keeping  the  Road  between 
us  clear  and  open,  and  the  Concern  you  have 
expressed  on  account  of  the  barbarous  Mur- 
ders mentioned  to  you,  is  a  Proof  of  your 
Brotherly  Affection  for  us.  If  Crimes  of  this 
Nature  be  not  strictly  enquired  into,  and  the 
Criminals  severely  punished,  there  will  be  an 
End  of  all  Commerce  between  us  and  the 
Indians,  and  then  you  will  be  altogether  in 
the  Power  of  the  French.  They  will  set 
what  Price  they  please  on  their  own  Goods, 
Vol.  II.— 12  177 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


and  give  you  what  they  think  fit  for  your 
Skins ;  so  it  is  for  your  own  interest  that  our 
Traders  should  be  safe  in  their  Persons  and 
Goods  when  they  travel  to  your  Towns. 

Brethren, 

I  considered  this  Matter  well  before  I 
came  from  Philadelphia,  and  I  advised  with 
the  Council  there  upon  it,  as  I  have  done 
here  with  the  honourable  the  Commissioners 
of  Virginia  and  Maryland.  I  never  heard 
before  of  the  Murder  of  the  three  Indians  at 
Ohio ;  had  Complaint  been  made  to  me  of  it, 
and  it  had  appeared  to  have  been  committed 
by  any  of  the  People  under  my  Government, 
they  should  have  been  put  to  Death,  as  two 
of  them  were,  some  Years  ago,  for  killing 
two  Indians.  You  are  not  to  take  your  own 
Satisfaction,  but  to  apply  to  me,  and  I  will 
see  that  Justice  be  done  you ;  and  should  any 
of  the  Indians  rob  or  murder  any  of  our  Peo- 
ple, I  do  expect  that  you  will  deliver  them 
up  to  be  tried  and  punished  in  the  same  Man- 
ner as  white  People  are.  This  is  the  Way  to 
preserve  Friendship  between  us,  and  will  be 
for  your  Benefit  as  well  as  ours.  I  am  well 
pleased  with  the  Steps  you  have  already 
taken,  and  the  Eeproofs  you  have  given  to 
your  Cousins  the  Delawares,  and  do  expect 
you  will  lay  your  Commands  upon  some  of 
their  Chiefs  to  bring  down  the  two  young 
178 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Men  that  were  present  at  the  Murders;  if 
they  are  not  brought  down,  I  shall  look  upon 
it  as  a  Proof  of  their  Guilt. 

If,  upon  Examination,  they  shall  be  found 
not  to  have  been  concerned  in  the  bloody 
Action,  they  shall  be  well  used,  and  sent 
home  in  Safety :  I  will  take  it  upon  myself 
to  see  that  they  have  no  Injustice  done  them. 
An  Inventory  is  taken  of  the  Goods  already 
restored,  and  I  expect  Satisfaction  will  be 
made  for  such  as  cannot  be  found,  in  Skins, 
according  to  Promise. 

I  well  remember  the  coming  down  of  one 
of  the  Conoy  Indians  with  a  Paper,  setting 
forth,  That  the  Conoys  had  come  to  a  Reso- 
lution'to  leave  the  Land  reserved  for  them  by 
the  Proprietors,  but  he  made  no  Complaint 
to  me  of  ill  Usage  from  the  white  People. 
The  Reason  he  gave  for  their  Removal  was, 
That  the  settling  of  the  white  People  all 
round  them  had  made  Deer  scarce,  and  that 
therefore  they  chose  to  remove  to  Juniata  for 
the  Benefit  of  Hunting.  I  ordered  what  they 
said  to  be  entered  in  the  Council-Book.  The 
old  Man's  Expenceswere  born,  and  a  Blanket 
given  him  at  his  Return  home.  I  have  not 
yet  heard  form  the  Proprietors  on  this  Head ; 
but  you  may  be  assured,  from  the  Favour  and 
Justice  they  have  always  shewn  to  the  In- 
dians, that  they  will  do  every  thing  that  may 
be  reasonably  expected  of  them  in  this  Case. 
179 


THE  HISTORY   OF  THE 

In  the  Court-House  Chamber  at  Lancaster, 
July  2,  1744,  P.M. 

PKESENT, 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 
The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 
Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Indians  being  told,  by  the  Interpreter, 
that  their  Brother  Assaragoa  was  going  to 
speak  to  them,  the  Commissioners  spoke 
as  follows: 

Sachems  and  Warriors,  our  Friends  and 
Brethren, 

AS  we  have  already  said  enough  to  you  on 
the  Subject  of  the  Title  to  the  Lands 
you  claim  from  Virginia,  we  have  no  Occa- 
sion to  say  any  thing  more  to  you  on  that 
head,  but  come  directly  to  the  Point. 

We  have  opened  the  Chest,  and  the  Goods 
are  now  here  before  you;  they  cost  Two 
Hundred  Pounds  Pensylvania  Money,  and 
were  bought  by  a  Person  recommended  to  us 
by  the  Governor  of  Pensylvania  with  ready 
Cash.  We  ordered  them  to  be  good  in  their 
Kinds,  and  we  believe  they  are  so.  These 
Goods,  and  Two  Hundred  Pounds  in  Gold, 
which  lie  on  the  Table,  we  will  give  you,  our 
Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations,  upon  Condition 
180 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

that  you  immediately  make  a  Deed  recogniz- 
ing the  King's  Eight  to  all  the  Lands  that 
are,  or  shall  be,  by  his  Majesty's  Appoint- 
ment in  the  Colony  of  Virginia. 

As  to  the  Eoad,  we  agree  you  shall  have 
one,  and  the  Regulation  is  in  Paper,  which 
the  Interpreter  now  has  in  his  Custody  to 
shew  you.  The  People  of  Virginia  shall  per- 
form their  Part,  if  you  and  your  Indians  per- 
form theirs ;  we  are  your  Brethren,  and  will 
do  no  Hardships  to  you,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
all  the  Kindness  we  can." 

The  Indians  agreed  to  what  was  said,  and 
Canassatego  desired  they  would  represent 
their  Case  to  the  King,  in  order  to  have  a 
further  Consideration  when  the  Settlement 
increased  much  further  back.  To  which  the 
Commissioners  agreed,  and  promised  they 
would  make  such  a  Representation  faithfully 
and  honestly ;  and,  for  their  further  Security 
that  they  would  do  so,  they  would  give  them 
a  Writing,  under  their  Hands  and  Seals,  to 
that  Purpose. 

They  desired  that  some  Rum  might  be 
given  them  to  drink  on  their  Way  home, 
which  the  Commissioners  agreed  to,  and  paid 
them  in  Gold  for  that  Purpose,  and  the  Car- 
riage of  their  Goods  from  Philadelphia,  Nine 
Pounds  Thirteen  Shillings,  and  Three- 
pence, Pensylvania  Money. 

Canassatego  further  said,  That  as  their 
181 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Brother  Tocarry-hogan  sent  them  provision 
on  the  Road  here,  which  kept  them  from 
starving,  he  hoped  their  Brother  Assaragoa 
would  do  the  same  for  them  back,  and  have 
the  Goods  he  gave  them  carried  to  the  usual 
Place ;  which  the  Commissioners  agreed  to, 
and  ordered  Provisions  and  Carriages  to  be 
provided  accordingly. 

After  this  Conference  the  Deed  was  pro- 
duced, and  the  Interpreter  explained  it  to 
them ;  and  they,  according  to  their  Bank  and 
Quality,  put  their  Marks  and  Seals  to  it  in 
the  Presence  of  several  Gentlemen  of  Mary- 
land, Pensylvania  and  Virginia;  and  when 
they  delivered  the  Deed,  Canassatego  deliv- 
ered it  for  the  Use  of  their  Father,  the  Great 
King,  and  hoped  he  would  consider  them; 
on  which  the  Gentlemen  and  Indians  then 
present  gave  three  Shouts. 


182 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

In  the  Court-House  at  Lancaster,  Tuesday, 
July  3,  1744,  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The  Honourable  GEORGE  THOMAS, 
Esq;  Governor,  &c. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

Ths  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

The  Governor  spoke  as  follows : 
Friends  and  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations, 

AT  a  Treaty  held  with  many  of  the  Chiefs 
of  your  Nations  Two  Years  ago,  the 
Road  between  us  was  made  clearer  and  wider ; 
our  Eire  was  enlarged,  and  our  Erieudship 
confirmed  by  an  Exchange  of  Presents,  and 
many  other  mutual  good  Offices. 

We  think  ourselves  happy  in  having  been 
instrumental  to  your  meeting  with  our  Breth- 
ren of  Virginia  and  Maryland ;  and  we  per- 
suade ourselves,  that  you,  on  your  Parts,  will 
always  remember  it  as  an  instance  of  our 
Good-will  and  Affection  for  you.  This  has 
given  us  an  Opportunity  of  seeing  you  sooner 
than  perhaps  we  should  otherwise  have  done ; 
and,  as  we  are  under  mutual  Obligations  by 
183 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Treaties,  we  to  hear  with  our  Ears  for  you, 
and  you  to  hear  with  your  Ears  for  us,  we 
take  this  Opportunity  to  inform  you  of  what 
very  nearly  concerns  us  both. 

The  great  King  of  England  and  the  French 
King  have  declared  War  against  each  other. 
Two  Battles  have  been  fought,  one  by  Land, 
and  the  other  by  Sea.  The  great  King  of 
England  commanded  the  Land- Army  in  Per- 
son, and  gained  a  compleat  Victory.  Num- 
bers of  the  French  were  killed  and  taken 
Prisoners,  and  the  rest  were  forced  to  pass  a 
River  with  Precipitation  to  save  their  Lives. 
The  Great  God  covered  the  King's  Head  in 
that  Battle,  so  that  he  did  not  receive  the 
least  Hurt;  for  which  you,  as  well  as  we, 
have  Reason  to  be  very  thankful. 

The  Engagement  at  Sea  was  likewise  to  the 
Advantage  of  the  English.  The  French  and 
Spaniards  joined  their  Ships  together,  and 
came  out  to  fight  us.  The  brave  English 
Admiral  burnt  one  of  their  largest  Ships,  and 
many  others  were  so  shattered,  that  they 
were  glad  to  take  the  Opportunity  of  a  very 
high  Wind,  and  a  dark  Night,  to  run  away, 
and  to  hide  themselves  again  in  their  own 
Harbours.  Had  the  Weather  proved  fair,  he 
would,  in  all  Probability,  have  taken  or  de- 
stroyed them  all. 

I  need  not  put  you  in  mind  how  much 
William  Perm  and  his  Sons  have  been  your 
184 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Friends,  and  the  Friends  of  all  the  Indians. 
You  have  long  and  often  experienced  their 
Friendship  for  you ;  nor  need  I  repeat  to  you 
how  kindly  you  were  treated,  and  what  valu- 
able Presents  were  made  to  you  two  Years 
ago  by  the  Governor,  the  Council,  and  the 
Assembly  of  Pensylvania.  The  Sons  of  Wil- 
liam Penn  are  all  now  in  England,  and  have 
left  me  in  their  Place,  well  knowing  how 
much  I  regard  you  and  all  the  Indians.  As 
a  fresh  Proof  of  this,  I  have  left  my  House, 
and  am  come  thus  far  to  see  you,  to  renew 
our  Treaties,  to  brighten  the  Covenant-Chain, 
and  to  confirm  our  Friendship  with  you.  In 
Testimony  whereof,  I  present  you  with  this 
Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  Yo-hah. 

As  your  Nations  have  engaged  themselves 
by  Treaty  to  assist  us,  your  Brethren  of  Pen- 
sylvania, in  case  of  a  War  with  the  French, 
we  do  not  doubt  but  you  will  punctually  per- 
form an  Engagement  so  solemnly  entered  into. 
A  War  is  now  declared,  and  we  expect  that 
you  will  not  suffer  the  French,  or  any  of  the 
Indians  in  Alliance  with  them,  to  march 
through  your  Country  to  disturb  any  of  our 
Settlements ;  and  that  you  will  give  us  the 
earliest  and  best  Intelligence  of  any  Designs 
that  may  be  formed  by  them  to  our  Disad- 
vantage, as  we  promise  to  do  of  any  that  may 
185 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

be  to  yours.     To  enforce  what  I  Lave  now 
said  to  you  in  the  strongest  Manner,  I  pre- 
sent you  with  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 
Which  was  received  with  the  Yo-hah. 

After  a  little  Pause  his  Honour,  the  Gover- 
nor, spoke  again : 

Friends  and  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations, 

What  I  have  now  said  to  you  is  in  Con- 
formity to  Treaties  subsisting  between  the 
Province  of  which  I  am  Governor  and  your 
Nations.  I  now  proceed,  with  the  Consent 
of  the  honourable  Commissioners  for  Virginia 
and  Maryland,  to  tell  you,  that  all  Differ- 
ences having  been  adjusted,  and  the  Roads 
between  us  and  you  made  quite  clear  and 
open,  we  are  ready  to  confirm  our  Treaties 
with  your  Nations,  and  establish  a  Friend- 
ship that  is  not  to  end,  but  with  the  World 
itself.  And,  in  Behalf  of  the  Province  of 
Pensylvania,  I  do,  by  this  fine  Belt  of  Wam- 
pum, and  a  Present  of  Goods,  to  the  Value 
of  three  hundred  Pounds,  confirm  and  estab- 
lish the  said  Treaties  of  Peace,  Union  and 
Friendship,  you  on  your  Parts  doing  the  same. 

Which  was  received  with  a  loud  Yo-hah. 

The  Governor  further  added,  The  Goods 
bought  with  the  one  hundred  Pounds  Ster- 
ling, put  into  my  Hands  by  the  Governor  of 
Virginia,  are  ready  to  be  delivered  when  you 
186 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

please.  The  Goods  bought  and  sent  up  by 
the  People  of  the  Province  of  Pensylvania, 
according  to  the  List  which  the  Interpreter 
will  explain,  are  laid  by  themselves,  and  are 
likewise  ready  to  be  delivered  to  you  at  your 
own  time. 

After  a  little  Pause  the  Commissioners  of 
Virginia  spoke  as  follows : 

Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations, 

The  Way  between  us  being  made  smooth 
by  what  passed  Yesterday,  we  desire  now  to 
confirm  all  former  Treaties  made  between 
Virginia  and  you,  our  Brethren  of  the  Six 
Nations,  and  to  make  our  Chain  of  Union  and 
Friendship  as  bright  as  the  Sun,  that  it  may 
not  contract  any  more  Rust  for  ever ;  that 
our  Children's  Children  may  rejoice  at,  and 
confirm  what  we  have  done;  and  that  you 
and  your  Children  may  not  forget  it,  we  give 
you  one  hundred  Pounds  in  Gold,  and  this 
Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was*  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Friends  and  Brethren, 

Altho'  we  have  been  disappointed  in  our 
Endeavours  to  bring  about  a  Peace  between 
you  and  the  Catawbas,  yet  we  desire  to  speak 
to  you  something  more  about  them.  We  be- 
lieve they  have  been  unfaithful  to  you,  and 
187 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


spoke  of  you  with  a  foolish  Contempt ;  but 
this  may  be  only  the  Rashness  of  some  of 
their  young  Men.  In  this  Time  of  War  with 
our  common  Enemies  the  French  and  Span- 
iards, it  will  be  the  wisest  way  to  be  at  Peace 
among  ourselves.  They,  the  Catawbas,  are 
also  Children  of  the  great  King,  and  there- 
fore we  desire  you  will  agree,  that  we  may 
endeavour  to  make  a  Peace  between  you  and 
them,  that  we  may  be  all  united  by  one  com- 
mon Chain  of  Friendship.  We  give  you  this 
String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Brethren, 

Our  Friend,  Conrad  Weiser,  when  he  is 
old,  will  go  into  the  other  World,  as  our 
Fathers  have  done,  our  Children  will  then 
want  such  a  Friend  to  go  between  them  and 
your  Children,  to  reconcile  any  Differences 
that  may  happen  to  arise  between  them, 
that,  like  him,  may  have  the  Ears  and 
Tongues  of  our  Children  and  yours. 

The  Way  to  have  such  a  Friend,  is  for  you 
to  send  three  or  four  of  your  Boys  to  Vir- 
ginia, where  we  have  a  fine  House  for  them 
to  live  in,  and  a  Man  on  purpose  to  teach  the 
Children  of  you,  our  Friends,  the  Religion, 
Language  and  Customs  of  the  white  People. 
To  this  Place  we  kindly  invite  you  to  send 
188 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &a 

some  of  your  Children ;  and  we  promise  you 
they  shall  have  the  same  Care  taken  of  them, 
and  be  instructed  in  the  same  Manner  as  our 
own  Children,  and  be  returned  to  you  again 
when  you  please;  and,  to  confirm  this,  we 
give  you  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Then  the  Commissioners  of  Maryland  spoke 
as  follows: 

Friends  and  Brethren,  the  Chiefs  or  Sachems 
of  the  Six  united  Nations, 

The  Governor  of  Maryland  invited  you 
hither,  we  have  treated  you  as  Friends,  and 
agreed  with  you  as  Brethren. 

As  the  Treaty  now  made  concerning  the 
Lands  in  Maryland  will,  we  hope,  prevent 
effectually  every  future  Misunderstanding 
between  us  on  that  Account,  we  will  now 
bind  faster  the  Links  of  our  Chain  of  Friend- 
ship, by  a  Eenewal  of  all  our  former  Treaties ; 
and  that  they  may  still  be  the  better  secured, 
we  shall  present  you  with  one  hundred 
Pounds  in  Gold. 

What  we  have  further  to  say  to  you  is, 
Let  not  our  Chain  contract  any  Rust ;  when- 
ever you  perceive  the  least  Speck,  tell  us  of 
it,  and  we  will  make  it  clean.  This  we  also 
expect  of  you,  that  it  may  always  continue 
189 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

so  bright  as  our  Generations  may  see  their 

Faces  in  it ;  and,  in  Pledge  of  the  Truth  of 
what  we  have  now  spoken,  and  our  Affection 
to  you,  we  give  you  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

CANASSATEGO,  in  return,  spoke  as   fol- 
lows: 

Brother  Onas,  Assaragoa,  and  Tocarry-kogan, 

We  return  you  Thanks  for  your  several 
Speeches,  which  are  very  agreeable  to  us. 
They  contain  Matters  of  such  great  Moment, 
that  we  propose  to  give  them  a  very  serious 
Consideration,  and  to  answer  them  suitably 
to  their  Worth  and  Excellence ;  and  this  will 
take  till  to-morrow  Morning,  and  when  we 
are  ready  we  will  give  you  due  Notice. 

You  tell  us  you  beat  the  French ;  if  so,  you 
must  have  taken  a  great  deal  of  Kum  from 
them,  and  can  the  better  spare  us  some  of 
that  Liquor  to  make  us  rejoice  with  you  in 
the  Victory. 

The  Governor  and  Commissioners  ordered 
a  Dram  of  Rum  to  be  given  to  each  in  a  small 
Glass,  calling  it,  A  French  Glass. 


190 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

In  the  Court- House   at  Lancaster,  July  4, 
1744,  A.M. 

PRESENT, 

The    Honourable    GEOEGE     T-IOMAS, 

Esq;  Governor,  &c 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Honourable  the  Commissioners  of 
Maryland. 

The  Deputies  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Conrad  Weiser,  Interpreter. 

CANASSATEGO  Speaker 
Brother  Onas, 

ESTERDAY  you  expressed  your  Satis- 


Y 


faction  in  having  been  instrumental  to 
our  meeting  with  our  Brethren  of  Virginia, 
and  Maryland,  we,  in  return,  assure  you, 
that  we  have  great  Pleasure  in  this  Meeting, 
and  thank  you  for  the  Part  you  have  had 
in  bringing  us  together,  in  order  to  create  a 
good  Understanding,  and  to  clear  the  Road; 
and,  in  Token  of  our  Gratitude,  we  present 
you  with  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Brother  Onas, 

You  was  pleased  Yesterday  to  inform  us, 
191 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"That  War  had  been  declared  between  the 
great  King  of  England  and  the  French 
King ;  that  two  great  Battles  had  been  fought, 
one  by  Land,  and  the  other  at  Sea;  with 
many  other  Particulars."  We  are  glad  to 
hear  the  Arms  of  the  King  of  England  were 
successful,  and  take  part  with  you  in  your 
Joy  on  this  Occasion.  You  then  came  nearer 
Home,  and  told  us,  "  You  had  left  your  House, 
and  were  come  thus  far  on  Behalf  of  the 
whole  People  of  Pensylvania  to  see  us ;  to 
renew  your  Treaties,  to  brighten  the  Cove- 
nant-Chain, and  to  confirm  your  Friendship 
with  us."  We  approve  this  Proposition,  we 
thank  you  for  it.  We  own,  with  Pleasure, 
that  the  Covenant-Chain  between  us  and 
Pensylvania  is  of  old  Standing,  and  has 
never  contracted  any  Rust ;  we  wish  it  may 
always  continue  as  bright  as  it  has  done  hith- 
erto ;  and,  in  Token  of  the  Sincerity  of  our 
Wishes,  we  present  you  with  this  Belt  of 
Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  Yo-hah. 

Brother  Onas9 

You  was  pleased  Yesterday  to  remind  us 
of  our  mutual  Obligation  to  assist  each  other 
in  case  of  a  War  with  the  French,  and  to  re- 
peat the  Substance  of  what  we  ought  to  do 
by  our  Treaties  with  you ;  and  that  as  a  War 
had  been  already  entered  into  with  the 
192 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

French,  you  called  upon  us  to  assist  you, 
and  not  to  suffer  the  French  to  march  through 
our  Country  to  disturb  any  of  your  Settle- 
ments. 

In  answer,  we  assure  you  we  have  all  these 
Particulars  in  our  Hearts,  they  are  fresh  in 
our  Memory.  We  shall  never  forget  that 
you  and  we  have  but  one  Heart,  one  Head, 
one  Eye,  one  Ear,  and  one  Hand.  We  shall 
have  all  your  Country  under  our  Eye,  and 
take  all  the  Care  we  can  to  prevent  any 
Enemy  from  coming  into  it ;  and,  in  proof  of 
our  Care,  we  must  inform  you,  that  before 
we  came  here,  we  told  *  Onandio,  our  Father, 
as  he  is  called,  that  neither  he,  nor  any  of 
his  People,  should  come  through  our  Country, 
to  hurt  our  Brethren  the  English,  or  any  of 
the  Settlements  belonging  to  them;  there 
was  Room  enough  at  Sea  to  fight,  there  he 
might  do  what  he  pleased,  but  he  should 
not  come  upon  our  Land  to  do  any  Damage 
to  our  Brethren.  And  you  may  depend  upon 
our  using  our  utmost  Care  to  see  this  effect- 
ually done ;  and,  in  Token  of  our  Sincerity, 
we  present  you  with  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

*  Onandio,  the  Governor  of  Canada* 
Vol.  II.— 13 


193 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

After  some  little  Time  the  Interpreter  said, 
Canassatego  had  forgot  something  mate- 
rial, and  desired  to  mend  his  Speech,  and  to 
do  so  as  often  as  he  should  omit  any  thing 
of  Moment,  and  thereupon  he  added : 

The  Six  Nations  have  a  great  Authority 
and  Influence  over  sundry  Tribes  of  Indians 
in  Alliance  with  the  French,  and  particularly 
over  the  Praying  Indians,  formerly  a  Part 
with  ourselves,  who  stand  in  the  very  Gates 
of  the  French ;  and,  to  shew  our  further  Care, 
we  have  engaged  these  very  Indians,  and 
other  Indian  Allies  of  the  French  for  you. 
They  will  not  join  the  French  against  you. 
They  have  agreed  with  us  before  we  set  out. 
We  have  put  the  Spirit  of  Antipathy  against 
the  French  in  those  People.  Our  Interest  is 
very  considerable  with  them,  and  many  other 
Nations,  and  as  far  as  ever  it  extends,  we 
shall  use  it  for  your  Service. 

The  Governor  said,  Canassatego  did  well 
to  mend  his  Speech ;  he  might  always  do  it 
whenever  his  Memory  should  fail  him  in  any 
Point  of  Consequence,  and  he  thanked  him 
for  the  very  agreeable  Addition. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

You  told  us  Yesterday,  that  all  Disputes 
with  you  being  now  at  an  end,  you  desired 
t*  confirm  all  former  Treaties  between  Vir- 
194 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ginia  and  us,  and  to  make  our  Chain  of  Union 
as  bright  as  the  Sun. 

We  agree  very  heartily  with  you  in  these 
Propositions;  we  thank  you  for  your  good 
Inclinations ;  we  desire  you  will  pay  no  Re- 
gard to  any  idle  Stories  that  may  be  told  to 
our  Prejudice.  And,  as  the  Dispute  about 
the  Land  is  now  intirely  over,  and  we  per- 
fectly reconciled,  we  hope,  for  the  future,  we 
shall  not  act  towards  each  other  but  as  be- 
comes Brethren  and  hearty  Friends. 

We  are  very  willing  to  renew  the  Friend- 
ship with  you,  and  to  make  it  as  firm  as  pos- 
sible, for  us  and  our  Children  with  you  and 
your  Children  to  the  latest  Generation,  and 
we  desire  you  will  imprint  these  Engage- 
ments on  your  Hearts  in  the  strongest  Man- 
ner; and,  in  Confirmation  that  we  shall  do 
the  same,  we  give  you  this  Belt  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  Yo-hah  from  the 
Interpreter,  and  all  the  Nations. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

You  did  let  us  know  Yesterday,  that  tho* 
you  had  been  disappointed  in  your  Endeav- 
ours to  bring  about  a  Peace  between  us  and 
the  Catawbas,  yet  you  would  still  do  the  best 
to  bring  such  a  Thing  about.  We  are  well 
pleased  with  your  Design,  and  the  more  so, 
as  we  hear  you  know  what  sort  of  People  the 
Catawbas  are,  that  they  are  spiteful  and  offen- 
195 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

sive,  and  have  treated  us  contemptuously. 
We  are  glad  you  know  these  Things  of  the 
Catawbas;  we  believe  what  you  say  to  be 
true,  that  there  are,  notwithstanding,  some 
amongst  them  who  are  wiser  and  better ;  and, 
as  you  say,  they  are  your  Brethren,  and  be- 
long to  the  great  King  over  the  Water,  we 
shall  not  be  against  a  Peace  on  reasonable 
Terms,  provided  they  will  come  to  the  North- 
ward to  treat  about  it.  In  Confirmation  of 
what  we  say,  and  to  encourage  you  in  your 
Undertaking,  we  give  you  this  String  of 
Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
monies. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

You  told  us  likewise,  you  had  a  great 
House  provided  for  the  Education  of  Youth, 
and  that  there  were  several  white  People 
and  Indians  Children  there  to  learn  Lan- 
guages, and  to  write  and  read,  and  invited 
us  to  send  some  of  our  Children  amongst 
you,  &c. 

We  must  let  you  know  we  love  our  Chil- 
dren too  well  to  send  them  so  great  a  Way, 
and  the  Indians  are  not  inclined  to  give  their 
Children  Learning.  We  allow  it  to  be  good, 
and  we  thank  you  for  your  Invitation ;  but 
our  Customs  differing  from  yours,  you  will 
be  so  good  as  to  excuse  us. 
196 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

We  hope  *  Tarachawagon  will  be  preserved 
by  the  good  Spirit  to  a  good  old  Age ;  when 
he  is  gone  under  Ground,  it  will  be  then  time 
enough  to  look  out  for  another ;  and  no  doubt 
but  amongst  so  many  Thousands  as  there  are 
in  the  World,  one  such  Man  may  be  found, 
who  will  serve  both  Parties  with  the  same 
Fidelity  as  Tarachawagon  does;  while  he 
lives  there  is  no  Eoom  to  complain.  In 
Token  of  our  Thankfulness  for  your  Invita- 
tion, we  give  you  this  String  of  Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cere- 
mony. 

Brother  Tocarry-hogan, 

You  told  us  Yesterday,  that  since  there 
was  now  nothing  in  Controversy  between  us, 
and  the  Affair  of  the  Land  was  settled  to 
your  Satisfaction,  you  would  now  brighten 
the  Chain  of  Friendship  which  hath  subsisted 
between  you  and  us  ever  since  we  became 
Brethren ;  we  are  well  pleased  with  the  Prop- 
osition, and  we  thank  you  for  it ;  we  also  are 
inclined  to  renew  all  Treaties,  and  keep  a 
good  Correspondence  with  you.  You  told  us 
further,  if  ever  we  should  perceive  the  Chain 
had  contracted  any  Rust,  to  let  you  know, 
and  you  would  take  care  to  take  the  Rust  out, 
and  preserve  it  bright.  We  agree  with  you 
in  this,  and  shall,  on  our  Parts,  do  every 

*  Tarachawagon,  Conrad  Weiser. 
197 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

thing  to  preserve  a  good  Understanding,  and 

to  live  in  the  same  Friendship  with  you  as 

with   our   Brother  Onas  and  Assaragoa;  in 

Confirmation  whereof  we  give  you  this  Belt 

of  Wampum. 

On  which  the  usual  Cry  of  Yo-hah  was 

given. 

Brethren, 

We  have  now  finished  our  Answer  to  what 
you  said  to  us  Yesterday,  and  shall  now  pro- 
ceed to  Indian  Affairs,  that  are  not  of  so  gen- 
eral a  Concern. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

There  lives  a  Nation  of  Indians  on  the 
other  Side  of  your  Country,  the  Tuscaroraes, 
who  are  our  Friends,  and  with  whom  we  hold 
Correspondence;  but  the  Road  between  us 
and  them  has  been  stopped  for  some  Time, 
on  account  of  the  Misbehaviour  of  some  of 
our  Warriors.  We  have  opened  a  new  Boad 
for  our  Warriors,  and  they  shall  keep  to  that ; 
but  as  that  would  be  inconvenient  for  Mes- 
sengers going  to  the  Tuscaroraes,  we  desire 
they  may  go  the  old  Road.  We  frequently 
send  Messengers  to  one  another,  and  shall 
have  more  Occasion  to  do  so  now  that  we 
have  concluded  a  Peace  with  the  Cherikees. 
To  enforce  our  Request,  we  give  you  this 
String  of  Wampum. 

198 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cry  of 
Approbation. 

Brother  Assaragoa, 

Among  these  Tuscaroraes  there  live  a  few 
Families  of  the  Conoy  Indians,  who  are  de- 
sirous to  leave  them,  and  to  remove  to  the 
rest  of  their  Nation  among  us,  and  the  strait 
Road  from  them  to  us  lies  through  the  Mid- 
dle of  your  Country.  We  desire  you  will 
give  them  free  Passage  through  Virginia, 
and  furnish  them  with  Passes;  and,  to  en- 
force our  Bequest,  we  give  you  this  String  of 
Wampum. 

Which  was  received  with  the  usual  Cry  of 
Approbation. 

Brother  Onas,  Assaragoa,  and  Tocarry-hogany 

At  the  Close  of  your  respective  Speeches 
Yesterday,  you  made  us  very  handsome  Pres- 
ents, and  we  should  return  you  something 
suitable  to  your  Generosity;  but,  alas!  we 
are  poor,  and  shall  ever  remain  so,  as  long 
as  there  are  so  many  Indian  Traders  among 
us.  Theirs  and  the  white  People' s  Cattle  have 
eat  up  all  the  Grass,  and  make  Deer  scarce. 
However,  we  have  provided  a  small  Present 
for  you,  and  though  some  of  you  gave  us  more 
than  others,  yet,  as  you  are  all  equally  our 
Brethren,  we  shall  leave  it  to  you  to  divide  it 
as  you  please. — And  then  presented  three 
199 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Bundles  of  Skins,  which  were  received,  with 
the  usual  Ceremony  from  the  three  Govern- 
ments. 

We  have  one  Thing  further  to  say,  and 
that  is,  We  heartily  recommend  Union  and  a 
good  Agreement  between  you  our  Brethren. 
Never  disagree,  but  preserve  a  strict  Friend- 
ship for  one  another,  and  thereby  you,  as 
well  as  we,  will  become  the  stronger. 

Our  wise  Forefathers  established  Union 
and  Amity  between  the  Five  Nations ;  this  has 
made  us  formidable ;  this  has  given  us  great 
Weight  and  Authority  with  our  neighbouring 
Nations. 

We  are  a  powerful  Confederacy;  and,  by 
your  observing  the  same  Methods  our  wise 
Forefathers  have  taken,  you  will  acquire  fresh 
Strength  and  Power ;  therefore  whatever  be- 
fals  you,  never  fall  out  one  with  another. 

The  Governor  replied : 

The  honourable  Commissioners  of  Virginia 
and  Maryland  have  desired  me  to  speak  for 
them ;  therefore  I,  in  Behalf  of  those  Gov- 
ernments, as  well  as  of  the  Province  of  Pen- 
sylvania,  return  you  Thanks  for  the  many 
Proofs  you  have  given  in  your  Speeches  of 
your  Zeal  for  the  Service  of  your  Brethren 
the  English,  and  in  particular  for  your  hav- 
ing so  early  engaged  in  a  neutrality  the  sev- 
eral Tribes  of  Indians  in  the  French  Alliance. 
200 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

We  do  not  doubt  but  you  will  faithfully  dis< 
charge  your  Promises.  As  to  your  Presents, 
we  never  estimate  these  Things  by  their  real 
Worth,  but  by  the  Disposition  of  the  Giver. 
In  this  Light  we  accept  them  with  great 
Pleasure,  and  put  a  high  Value  upon  them. 
We  are  obliged  to  you  for  recommending 
Peace  and  good  Agreement  amongst  our- 
selves. We  are  all  Subjects,  as  well  as  you, 
of  the  great  King  beyond  the  Water ;  and,  in 
Duty  to  his  Majesty,  and  from  the  good  Af- 
fection we  bear  to  each  other,  as  well  as  from 
a  Regard  to  our  own  Interest,  we  shall  al- 
ways be  inclined  to  live  in  Friendship. 

Then  the  Commissioners  of  Virginia  pre- 
sented the  hundred  Pounds  in  Gold,  together 
with  a  Paper,  containing  a  Promise  to  recom- 
mend the  Six  Nations  for  further  Favour  to 
the  King ;  which  they  received  with  Yo-hah, 
and  the  Paper  was  given  by  them  to  Conrad 
Weiser  to  keep  for  them.  The  Commissioners 
likewise  promised  that  their  publick  Messen- 
gers should  not  be  molested  in  their  Passage 
through  Virginia,  and  that  they  would  pre- 
pare Passes  for  such  of  the  Conoy  Indians  as 
were  willing  to  remove  to  the  Northward. 

Then  the  Commissioners  of  Maryland  pre- 
sented their  hundred  Pounds  in  Gold,  which 
was  likewise  received  with  the  Yo-hah. 

Canassatego  said,  We  mentioned  to  you 
201 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

Yesterday  the  Booty  you  had  taken  from  the 
French,  and  asked  you  for  some  of  the  Rum 
which  we  supposed  to  be  Part  of  it,  and  you 
gave  us  some;  but  it  turned  out  unfortu- 
nately that  you  gave  it  in  French  Glasses, 
we  now  desire  you  will  give  us  some  in  Eng- 
lish Glasses. 

The  Governor  made  answer,  We  are  glad 
to  hear  j^ou  have  such  a  Dislike  for  what  is 
French.  They  cheat  you  in  your  Glasses, 
as  well  as  in  every  thing  else.  You  must 
consider  we  are  at  a  Distance  from  Williams- 
burg, Annapolis,  and  Philadelphia,  where  our 
Rum  Stores  are,  and  that  although  we  brought 
up  a  good  Quantity  with  us,  you  have  almost 
drunk  it  out ;  but,  notwithstanding  this,  we 
have  enough  left  to  fill  our  English  Glasses, 
and  will  shew  the  Difference  between  the 
Narrowness  of  the  French,  and  the  Generos- 
ity of  your  Brethren  the  English  towards  you* 

The  Indians  gave,  in  their  Order,  five  Yo- 
hahs ;  and  the  honourable  Governor  and  Com- 
missioners calling  for  some  Rum,  and  some 
middle-sized  Wine-Glasses,  drank  Health  to 
the  great  King  of  England,  and  the  Six  Na- 
tions, and  put  an  end  to  the  Treaty  by  three 
loud  Huzza' s,  in  which  all  the  Company 
joined. 

In  the  Evening  the  Governor  went  to  take 
his  Leave  of  the  Indians,  and,  presenting 
them  with  a  String  of  Wampum,  he  told 
202 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c 

them,  that  was  in  return  for  one  he  had  re- 
ceived of  them,  with  a  Message  to  desire  the 
Governor  of  Virginia  to  suffer  their  Warriors 
to  go  through  Virginia  unmolested,  which 
was  rendered  unnecessary  by  the  present 
Treaty. 

Then,  presenting  them  with  another  String 
of  Wampum,  he  told  them,  that  was  in  re- 
turn for  theirs,  praying  him,  that  as  they  had 
taken  away  one  Part  of  Conrad  Weiser's 
Beard,  which  frightened  their  Children,  he 
would  please  to  take  away  the  other,  which 
he  had  ordered  to  be  done. 

The  Indians  received  these  two  Strings  of 
Wampum  with  the  usual  Yo-hah. 

The  Governor  then  asked  them,  what  was 
the  Keason  that  more  of  the  Shawanaes,  from 
their  Town  on  Hohio,  were  not  at  the  Treaty? 
But  seeing  that  it  would  require  a  Council  in 
Form,  and  perhaps  another  Day  to  give  an 
Answer,  he  desired  they  would  give  an  An- 
swer to  Conrad  Weiser  upon  the  Road  on 
their  Return  home,  for  he  was  to  set  out  for 
Philadelphia  the  next  Morning. 

CANASSATEGO  in  Conclusion  spoke  as  fol- 
lows: 

We  have  been  hindered,  by  a  great  deal  of 
Business,  from  waiting  on  you,  to  have  some 
private  Conversation  with  you,  chiefly  to  en- 
303 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

quire  after  the  Healths  of  Onas  beyond  the 
Water ;  we  desire  you  will  tell  them,  we  have 
a  grateful  Sense  of  all  their  Kindnesses  for 
the  Indians.  Brother  Onas  told  us,  when 
he  went  away,  he  would  not  stay  long  from 
us ;  we  think  it  is  a  great  while,  and  want  to 
know  when  we  may  expect  him,  and  desire, 
when  you  write,  you  will  recommend  us 
heartily  to  him ;  which  the  Governor  prom- 
ised to  do,  and  then  took  his  Leave  of  them. 

The  Commissioners  of  Virginia  gave  Canas- 
satego  a  Scarlet  Camblet  Coat,  and  took  their 
Leave  of  them  in  Form,  and  at  the  same  time 
delivered  the  Passes  to  them,  according  to 
their  Request. 

The  Commissioners  of  Maryland  presented 
Gachradodow  with  a  broad  Gold-laced  Hat, 
and  took  their  Leave  of  them  in  the  same 
Manner. 

A  true  Copy,  compared  by 

Richard  Peters,  Seer. 


804 


TREATY 

BETWEEN 
HIS     EXCELLENCY 

The  Honourable  George  Clinton, 

Captain-General  and  Governor  in  Chief  of 
the  Province  of  New-York,  and  the  Terri- 
tories thereon  depending  in  America, 
Vice-Admiral  of  the  same,  and  Vice- 
Admiral  of  the  Red  Squadron  of  His 
Majesty's  Fleet, 

AND 

The  Six  United  Indian  Nations,  and  other  Indian 
Nations,  depending  on  the  Province  of  NEW- 
YORK. 

Held  at  ALBANY  in  the  Months  of  Augusx  and 
September  >  1746. 


205 


A  TREATY  between  his  Excellency 
the  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  and  the  Six  Nations,  and  other 
Indian  Nations ,  depending  on  said 
Province. 

IT  is  well  known  in  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  that  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians 
depending  on  this  Province,  (called  Iroquois 
by  the  French)  had  lately  on  several  Occa- 
sions, appear' d  dissatisfied  and  wavering  in 
their  Fidelity  to  the  British  Crown.  No 
doubt,  this  was  principally  occasion' d  by  the 
Artifices  of  the  French  of  Canada,  who  had 
constantly  Emissaries  among  them :  But  at 
the  same  Time  there  is  Reason  to  think,  the 
suspicious  Behaviour  of  these  Nations,  in 
Favour  of  their  once  inveterate  Enemy  the 
French,  could  not  have  arriv'd  to  the  Pitch 
it  did,  otherwise  than  by  some  Neglects  or 
Misconduct  of  those  who  were  entrusted  by 
the  Government  of  New-York  with  the  Man- 
agement of  the  Indian  Affairs. 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  New- York, 

having  received  his  Majesty's  Commands,  to 

engage  the  Indian  Nations  depending  on  his 

Government,  to  join  in  the  Expedition  then 

207 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

intended  against  Canada,  and  to  make  them 
the  usual  Presents  on  that  Occasion;  and 
being  sensible  of  the  great  Use  these  Nations 
might  be  to  the  Success  of  this  Enterprize, 
and  likewise  of  the  Difficulties  that  probably 
might  attend  his  Endeavours  at  this  Time, 
was  desirous  to  have  had  the  Assistance  of 
as  many  of  the  Members  of  his  Majesty's 
Council  as  the  Circumstances  of  Affairs  would 
permit ;  but  they  all  declined  to  give  their 
Attendance,  except  Mr.  Colden  and  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston. His  Excellency  was  therefore 
obliged  to  act  with  the  smallest  Number  of 
Members,  which  by  his  Majesty's  Commission 
can  form  a  Council,  viz.  Three ;  the  above 
two  Gentlemen  and  Capt.  Rutherford,  who 
was  then  at  his  Post  in  Albany. 

As  soon  as  his  Excellency  received  his 
Majesty's  Commands,  he  dispatched  from 
Albany  such  Persons  as,  by  the  best  Informa- 
tion he  could  receive,  had  Influence  among 
the  Six  Nations,  to  invite  them  severally  to 
meet  him  at  Albany,  on  the  20th  of  July. 
His  Excellency  arriv'd  at  Albany  the  21st  of 
July,  where  having  heard,  that,  besides  the 
Small-Pox,  (which  his  Excellency  never  had) 
many  were  sick  of  a  contagious  malignant 
Fever,  he  continued  on  board  the  Sloop  which 
carried  him  up,  to  consider  where  to  lodge 
with  the  least  Danger  to  his  Person  from  the 
Infection  of  these  Distempers ;   and  the  next 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Morning  resolved  to  go  into  the  Fort.  He 
was  received  at  his  Landing  -with  the  usual 
Marks  of  Respect  from  the  Corporation,  the 
independent  Companies  of  regular  Troops 
then  in  the  Place,  and  the  Militia,  under  a  Dis- 
charge of  the  Cannon  of  the  Fort  and  Town. 

In  the  Afternoon  of  the  same  Day  on  which 
his  Excellency  came  on  shore,  three  Indians, 
viz.  two  Onandagos  and  an  Oneydo,  brought 
two  French  Scalps  and  presented  to  his  Ex- 
cellency :  At  which  Time  the  Leader  of  the 
Party  made  a  formal  Speech  to  the  following 
Purpose:  "That  having  had  repeated  Ac- 
counts of  the  Mischiefs  done  by  the  French, 
and  of  the  frequent  Murders  committed  by 
them,  and  that  the  Mohawks,  notwithstand- 
ing their  Professions  of  Friendship,  suffered 
this  Bloodshed  to  remain  unrevenged,  his 
Heart  could  bear  it  no  longer ;  he  thereupon 
resolved  to  open  for  his  Brethren  the  Path  to 
Revenge:  That  these  two  Scalps  which  he 
now  presented  were  taken  at  Noonday  in 
sight  of  the  French  Fort  at  Crown  Point." 
His  Excellency  told  him  how  well  he  took  this 
special  Mark  of  his  Fidelity,  and  assured  him, 
that  he  would  not  only  now  reward  him  and 
his  Companions,  by  particular  Presents,  but 
would  always  remember  this  Act  of  Friend- 
ship. They  had  already  received  the  Reward 
given  by  the  Act  of  Assembly.  His  Excel- 
lency gave  each  of  them  four  Spanish  Dol- 
Vol.  H.— 14  209 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

lars ;  to  the  Leader  a  fine  laced  Coat  and  Hat, 
and  a  silver  Breast-plate ;  and  to  each  of  the 
others  a  Stroud  Blanket  and  lac'd  Hat. 

These  Indians  told  us,  that  they  lay  sev- 
eral Days  among  the  Bushes,  from  whence 
they  could  see  every  Man  that  came  out  of 
the  Fort-Gate.  They  endeavoured  for  some 
time  to  take  a  Prisoner,  but  observing  that 
none  went  to  such  a  Distance  from  the  Fort 
that  they  could  hope  to  carry  him  off,  they 
resolved  to  take  the  first  Opportunity  for  a 
Scalp :  Two  Soldiers  coming  out  of  the  Fort, 
after  the  Chapel  Bell  had  rung  about  Noon, 
one  of  the  Indians,  by  their  Leader's  Order, 
fired  with  Swan  Shot  upon  them  while  they 
were  near  to  each  other.  It  is  a  constant 
Bule  among  these  sculking  Parties,  never  to 
fire  without  Orders  from  their  Leader.  One 
of  the  French  Men  was  killed  upon  the  Spot, 
the  other  wounded,  and  fled  immediately 
towards  the  Fort  Gate,  the  Indian  who  had 
fired,  pursu'd,  and  with  his  Hatchet  brought 
him  down  within  a  hundred  Steps  of  the 
Fort  Gate;  and,  though  the  French  in  the 
Fort  rushed  out  at  the  Gate,  he  took  his 
Scalp  off;  the  others  had  scalped  the  Man 
that  was  first  killed,  and  then  they  all  fled. 
The  French  in  their  Hurry  had  run  out  with- 
out their  Arms,  and  upon  recollecting  them- 
selves return' d  to  arm,  which  facilitated  the 
Escape  of  the  Indians. 
210 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

His  Excellency  being  informed,  that  the 
Leader  of  this  Party  was  desirous  to  be  dis- 
tinguished by  his  Excellency's  giving  him  a 
uew  Name,  and  that  a  Name,  which  in  the 
Language  of  the  Six  Nations  signified  the 
Path-opener,  would  be  most  acceptable  to 
him;  his  Excellency  honour' d  him  with  that 
Title;  which  he  accepted  very  thankfully, 
and  seem'd  exceedingly  pleased  with  it: 
Whereupon  he  said,  that  the  other  two  In- 
dians having  associated  with  a  Mehikander, 
or  River  Indian,  were  resolved  to  go  out 
against  the  Enemy:  But  as  he  thought  he 
might  be  more  useful  by  staying,  to  assist  at 
the  ensuing  Treaty,  he  was  resolved  to  remain 
here.  He  added,  that  in  case  the  Interpreter, 
and  others  sent  to  invite  the  Six  Nations  to 
meet  here,  fail'd  in  any  Part,  he  would  go 
among  the  Six  Nations,  and  doubted  not  to 
bring  many  by  his  Influence,  who  otherwise 
might  stay. 

In  a  Day  or  two  after,  six  of  seven  Indians, 
who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  Commissioners 
for  Indian  Affairs  to  Crown-Point,  to  take 
Prisoners,  and  gain  Intelligence,  returned  and 
said,  That  they  had  gone  to  that  Place,  and 
that  in  sight  of  it  they  had  separated,  with 
Design  thereby  to  surprize  any  Stragler  that 
might  have  come  out  of  the  Fort:  That 
while  they  were  thus  separated,  two  cf  their 
Number  were  suddenly  surrounded  and  taken 
211 


THE  BISTORY  OF  THE 

by  the  Enemy :  One  of  these  two,  after  having 
been  detained  three  or  four  Days,  join'd  the 
others  at  Saraghtoga.  He  said,  that  he  had 
been  threatened  with  death  by  the  Adiron- 
dacks ;  *  but  that  the  Cahnuagas  t  interposed, 
and  by  their  Intercession  he  was  set  at  Lib- 
erty ;  and  some  of  the  Cahnuagas  conducted 
him  through  Lac  Sacrement.  He  reported, 
that  there  was  a  great  Number  of  Men,  French 
and  Indians,  at  Crown-Point.  The  other 
Prisoner,  an  Onondaga,  consented  to  remain 
with  the  French,  and  was  sent  to  Canada. 

Soon  after  this,  sixteen  Mohawk  Indians 
came  to  the  Town,  who  had  been  sent  out 
from  the  lower  Mohawk  Castle  by  Mr.  John- 
son, to  gain  Intelligence  near  Crown-Point, 
and  to  take  Prisoners.  They  reported  that 
they  had  discovered  so  great  a  Number  of 
French  and  Indians  at  Crown  Point,  that 
they  had  no  Hopes  of  being  able  to  bring  off 
any  Prisoners,  and  thought  it  adviseable  to 
return  speedily  and  inform  of  the  great  Dan- 
ger they  thought  this  Place  was  in.  His 
Excellency  invited  them  to  go  thither  again, 

*  A  Nation  of  Indians  living  in  Canada,  who  have 
always  been  firm  Friends  to  the  French,  and  for- 
merly were  at  War  with  the  Six  Nations. 

f  A  Number  of  Indians  originally  of  the  Five 
Nations,  and  Deserters  from  them,  now  settled  near 
Montreal,  by  whom  the  illicit  Trade  between  Albany 
and  Montreal  was  carried  on:  They  are  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  Country  about  Albany. 
212 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

in  order  to  descry  the  Motions  of  the  Enemy : 
And  as  a  farther  Encouragement  to  them,  to 
either  Scalp  or  take  Prisoners,  he  offered 
every  Person  of  said  Party  that  should  take 
a  Scalp  or  Prisoner,  a  Piece  of  Stroud,  and  a 
Suit  of  laced  Clothes,  besides  the  Bounty; 
but  they,  being  frightened  with  the  Appre- 
hensions of  Danger,  declined  going  back,  and 
said,  they  must  return  Home  and  acquaint 
their  Friends  and  Relations  with  what  they 
had  heard  and  seen.  Several  other  Indians 
likewise  alarmed  the  Mohawks,  by  telling 
them  that  the  French  had  a  great  Force  at 
Crown-Point,  and  that  they  would  certainly 
attack  either  Albany  or  Schenectade,  or  the 
Settlements  on  the  Mohawks  River,  or  per- 
haps several  Places  at  the  same  Time. 

Mr.  Johnson,  and  the  commanding  Officer 
of  the  Garrison  of  regular  Troops  in  the 
Mohawks  Country,  by  their  Letters  to  his  Ex- 
cellency, confirm' d  these  Reports;  and 
added,  the  Mohawks  had  entertain' d  Appre- 
hensions of  the  French  Force  at  Crown-Point, 
which  was  like  to  have  a  bad  Effect.  On 
this  his  Excellency  wrote  to  Mr.  Johnson, 
that  all  these  Stories  of  the  French  Force  at 
Crown -Point  were  only  Artifices  of  the  French 
to  intimidate  the  Indians,  or  to  amuse  them, 
with  Design  to  frustrate  the  Treaty  which 
he  intended  to  have  with  them ;  and  that  he 
was  to  assure  the  Indians,  that  they  could  be 
213 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

in  no  Danger  from  the  French:  However, 
that  they  might  see  that  he  would  omit 
nothing  which  they  might  think  necessary 
for  their  Security,  he  had  ordered  a  Lieute- 
nant of  Militia,  with  thirty  Men,  to  reinforce 
the  lower  Castle,  and  had  likewise  ordered 
the  Captain  of  Militia  near  the  upper  Castle, 
to  assist  the  Indians  there  in  fortifying  their 
Castle,  and  to  hold  himself  in  Keadiness  to 
support  them  on  any  Emergency. 

One  John  Colan,  a  Frenchman,  who  some 
Years  since  had  removed  from  Canada,  and 
settled  and  married  at  Schenectade,  and  who 
has  since  that  Time  lived  in  good  Eeputation 
there,  was  sent  by  Major  Glen  to  inform  his 
Excellency,  that  one  Aaron,  a  noted  Mohawk 
Sachem,  who  with  several  others  of  the  Six 
Nations,  had  been  last  Spring  in  Canada  to 
treat  with  the  Governor  there,  did  then  en- 
tertain two  Cahnuaga  Indians.  This  Man, 
John  Colan,  acquainted  his  Excellency,  that 
having  discovered  the  Cahnuaga  Indians,  he 
told  them  he  was  a  Frenchman,  and  was  de- 
sirous of  returning  to  his  own  Country,  on 
which  they  began  presently  to  propose  to  him 
Methods  for  his  Escape ;  at  which  Time,  this 
Aaron  coming  near  them,  he  express' d  his 
Fears  of  being  discovered  by  him.  They  an- 
swered, that  he  need  not  fear  Aaron,  for  he 
was  their  Friend,  and  designed  to  go  with 
them.  As  they  proposed  to  him  to  escape 
214 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

privately  by  himself,  and  to  meet  them  at  a 
Place  they  named,  he  told  them  of  his  Fears, 
in  that  Case,  of  meeting  with  the  French  In- 
dians while  he  was  alone.  They  answered, 
that  if  he  dress' d  himself  like  an  Indian,  the 
French  Indians  would  do  him  no  Hurt,  with- 
out first  calling  to  him ;  upon  which,  if  he 
stopp'd  and  call'd  out  Maria,  the  French 
Indians  would  be  so  far  from  hurting  him, 
that  they  would  immediately  come  up  to  him 
and  take  him  by  the  Hand.  From  this,  and 
several  other  Incidents,  which  it  would  be 
tedious  to  relate,  his  Excellency  was  con- 
vinced of  some  secret  Understanding  between 
the  Six  Nations  and  the  Cahnuagas,  or  French 
Indians:  And  that,  however  any  Party  of 
our  Indians  might  be  induced  to  fall  upon 
the  French,  they  would  not  at  that  Time 
molest  the  French  Indians,  nor  prevent  the 
Mischiefs  which  the  Inhabitants  received 
from  their  sculking  Parties. 

For  this  Reason,  his  Excellency  endeav- 
oured to  send  out  again  the  Company  of 
Hangers,  which  had  formerly  been  employed 
against  the  sculking  Indians :  But,  as  the  As- 
sembly had  made  no  Provision  for  this  Ex- 
pence,  they  refused  to  go,  unless  he  gave  his 
personal  Bond  for  their  Pay,  at  three  Shil- 
lings a  Day  for  each  private  Man,  besides 
their  Provision ;  and  would  not  be  satisfied 
with  the  Promises  that  he,  by  the  Advice  of 
215 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


the  Council,  made  them  of  recommending 
their  Service  to  the  General  Assembly,  and 
the  Assurances  he  gave  them  of  their  being 
rewarded  as  they  desired. 

On  their  continuing  obstinate,  his  Excel- 
lency was  of  Opinion,  that  no  considerable 
Service  could  be  expected  from  Men,  who 
were  moved  by  no  other  Principle  but  that  of 
excessive  Wages :  And  he  had  Reason  after- 
wards to  be  confirmed  in  this  Opinion,  when 
Captain  Langdon,  and  afterwards  Captain 
Thebout,  voluntarily  went  with  their  Com- 
panies of  the  new-levied  Troops  to  scour  the 
woods,  and  took  some  of  these  Albany  Men 
with  them  as  Guides,  who  whenever  they 
apprehended  themselves  in  Danger,  by  the 
Discovery  of  recent  Tracts,  some  one  or  other 
of  them  could  not  be  kept  from  firing  their 
Guns,  or  making  some  Noise,  by  which  the 
French  Indians,  if  any  were  near  them,  must 
know  how  to  avoid  them.  Some  Indians, 
who  were  likewise  sent  out  in  Company  with 
these  Men,  complained  in  like  Manner. 

The  publick  Interpreter,  whom  the  Gov- 
ernor (as  before  observed)  had  sent  with 
others,  to  invite  the  Six  Nations  to  meet  him 
at  Albany,  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  for 
Indian  Affairs,  That  they  met  with  great 
Difficulties  and  Obstructions  from  the 
Sachems,  who  had  been  lately  at  Canada: 
That  the  Oneydoes  refused  to  give  any 
216 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Answer,  tho'  they  had  staid  there  thirteen 
Days  endeavouring  to  persuade  them;  and 
that  the  Cayugas  had  absolutely  refused  to 
meet  the  Governor.  On  which  his  Excel- 
lency desire  to  be  informed  by  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Indian  Affairs,  whether  they 
knew  of  any  Person  of  Influence  or  Interest 
with  the  Indians,  and  fit  to  be  sent  among 
them  on  this  Occasion.  They  answered,  that 
they  knew  of  none;  and  that  the  Indians 
were  in  a  very  bad  Disposition,  and  much 
under  the  Influence  of  the  French. 

About  this  time  his  Excellency  being  in- 
formed, that  the  Interpreter,  and  others  sent 
with  him,  had  neglected  to  send  proper  In- 
vitations to  the  Indians  living  on  the 
Branches  of  Susquehannah  Kiver;  and  that 
Captain  Vrornan,  of  Scohary,  was  a  proper 
Person  to  be  sent  to  those  Indians ;  he  sent 
him,  in  Company  with  Captain  Staats,  with 
a  Belt  of  Wampum  to  invite  them. 

While  the  Indian  Affairs  appear' d  in  this 
discouraging  State,  an  Account  came  to 
Town,  that  about  twenty  young  Chickesaws 
were  come  to  the  Senekas,  to  desire  them  to 
shew  them  the  Way  to  Canada.  The  Chick- 
esaws had  always  been  Enemies  to  the  French : 
A  Party  of  about  five  hundred  Men  had,  four 
Years  before,  been  sent  out  against  them 
from  Canada,  who  were  so  entirely  routed  by 
the  Chickesaws,  that  few  returned.  These 
217 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

young  Chickesaws  told  the  Senekas,  that  the 
French  of  Canada  had,  about  four  Years  since, 
made  them  a  Visit,  and  were  so  kind  to  leave 
them  four  hundred  Guns,  which  were  now 
wore  out;  and,  since  the  French  had  not 
thought  fit  to  bring  them  any  more  Guns, 
they  were  resolved  to  go  to  Canada  to  fetch 
new  ones ;  and  promised,  that  if  the  Senekas 
would  shew  them  the  Way,  they  would  go 
Home  and  return  with  four  hundred  stout 
Fellows.  Some  other  Indian  Nations  who 
lived  to  the  Westward,  discovering  their 
Aversion  to  the  French  at  the  same  Time, 
these  Incidents  assisted  the  Governor's  Mes- 
sengers in  bringing  more  Indians  to  Albany 
than  they  expected,  when  they  wrote  to  the 
Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs. 

While  the  Interpreter  was  at  the  more  dis- 
tant Indian  Castles,  Mr.  William  Johnson 
was  indefatigable  among  the  Mohawks;  he 
dressed  himself  after  the  Indian  Manner, 
made  frequent  Dances,  according  to  their 
Custom  when  they  excite  to  War,  and  used  all 
the  Means  he  could  think  of,  at  a  considera- 
ble Expence,  (which  his  Excellency  had  prom- 
ised to  repay  him)  in  order  to  engage  them 
heartily  in  the  War  against  Canada.  Tho' 
he  succeeded,  beyond  what  any  Man  in  Al- 
bany thought  could  be  done,  yet  several  of 
the  Sachems  (in  the  Conajohary,  or  upper 
Mohawk  Castle,  chiefly)  refused  to  engage  ia 
218 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  War;  but  insisted,  that  as  this  Wai  was 
entred  into  between  the  English  and  French, 
in  which  they  had  no  Interest,  they  ought  to 
remain  neuter.  The  English  and  French, 
they  said,  could  at  any  Time  make  Peace; 
but  if  they  should  enter  into  the  War,  In- 
dians could  not  make  up  the  Quarrel  among 
themselves,  otherwise  than  by  the  Destruc- 
tion of  one  or  the  other.  The  French  could 
have  no  Hopes  of  engaging  the  Six  Nations 
on  their  Side  against  the  English,  and  there- 
fore wisely  play'd  this  Game  of  endeavour- 
ing to  make  them  stand  neuter,  which  they 
could  enforce  by  strong  political  Arguments, 
of  which  the  Indians  were  sensible  enough. 
It  is  your  Interest,  the  French  Emissaries 
said,  not  to  surfer  either  the  French  or  the 
English  to  be  absolute  Masters ;  for  in  that 
Case  you  must  become  Slaves  to  the  one  or 
the  other.  From  this  politic  View  chiefly, 
the  Interpreter  met  with  so  much  Opposition 
everywhere:  Tho'  it  is  not  to  be  doubted, 
but  that  at  the  same  Time  the  French  had 
gain'd  some  particular  Sachems  entirely  into 
their  Interest ;  however,  many  were  prevailed 
on  to  come  to  Albany,  to  hear  what  the  Gov- 
ernor of  New- York  had  to  say  to  them ;  tho' 
several  Sachems  staid  behind.  When  they 
of  the  more  distant  Nations  came  along  with 
the  Interpreter  to  the  lower  Mohawk  Castle, 
and  found  that  Mr.  Johnson  had  already 
219 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

engaged  many  of  the  young  Men  there  to 
join  the  Army  against  Canada,  the  others 
blamed  the  Mohawks ;  telling  them  with  some 
Warmth,  That  they  had  been  very  rash  in 
engaging  so  far.  "They  ought,  the  others 
said,  to  have  considered  that  they,  the  Mo- 
hawks, were  the  smallest  in  Number  of  any 
of  the  Six  Nations,  and  ought  not  to  have 
proceeded  to  so  great  a  Length,  without  the 
previous  Consent  of  the  others."  To  this 
the  Mohawks  answered,  It  is  true,  we  are  less 
considerable  as  to  Number,  than  any  of  the 
other  Nations;  but  our  Hearts  are  truly 
English,  and  all  of  us  are  Men* ;  so  that,  if 
our  Force  be  put  to  the  Trial,  perhaps  it 
will  be  found  greater  than  you  imagine. 
These  Disputes,  however,  continued  so  far, 
that  the  Mohawks,  and  the  other  Five  Na- 
tions, could  not  go  in  Company  to  Albany ; 
the  Mohawks  marched  on  one  side  of  the 
River,  while  the  other  Nations  went  on  the 
other  side.  [There  are  two  Roads  from  the 
Mohawks  Castle  to  Schenectada,  one  on  each 
side  of  the  Mohawks  River.] 

When  the  Indians  came  near  the  Town  of 
Albany,  on  the  8th  of  August,  Mr.  Johnson 
put  himself  at  the  Head  of  the  Mohawks, 
dressed  and  painted  after  the  Manner  of  an 
Indian  War-Captain;   and  the  Indians  who 

*  The  Six  Nations  reckon  all  other  Indian  Nations 
Women,  in  comparison  to  themselves. 
220 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

followed  him,  were  likewise  dressed  and 
painted,  as  is  usual  with  them  when  they  set 
out  in  War.  The  Indians  saluted  the  Gov- 
ernor as  they  passed  the  Fort,  by  a  running 
Fire ;  which  his  Excellency  ordered  to  be  an- 
swered by  a  Discharge  of  some  Cannon  from 
the  Fort:  He  afterwards  received  the 
Sachems  in  the  Fort-Hall,  bid  them  Wel- 
come, and  treated  them  with  a  Glass  of 
Wine. 

As,  by  all  Accounts,  the  Disposition  of  the 
Six  Nations  seemed  at  this  Time  less  in 
Favour  of  the  British  Interest  than  was  to 
be  wished,  his  Excellency  thought  it  neces- 
sary to  have  frequent  Conferences,  in  private, 
with  the  principal  Sachems  of  each  Nation ; 
sometimes  separately  and  singly,  at  other 
Times  with  some  of  each  Nation  jointly. 
There  were  only  two  of  the  Mohawks  Sachems 
(besides  Aaron  before  mentioned,  who  left 
the  Castle  at  this  Time)  that  could  not  be 
prevailed  on  by  Mr.  Johnson  to  declare  them- 
selves for  entering  into  the  War  against  Can- 
ada: They  were  both  of  the  Conajohary  or 
Upper-Castle,  and  one  of  them  the  Head  of 
the  Tribe  called  the  Tortoise;  (which,  tho' 
not  so  numerous  as  that  of  the  Bear,  yet  is 
looked  on  as  the  first  in  Kank  or  Dignity ;) 
and,  as  he  had  been  with  the  Governor  of 
Canada  last  Spring,  it  was  thought  to  be  of 
some  Consequence  to  gain  him.     Mr.  Colden, 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

above  twenty  Years  since,  had  the  Comple- 
ment of  being  received  into  that  Castle ;  and, 
about  seven  Years  since  (the  last  Time  he 
had  been  with  the  Mohawks)  had  contracted 
some  more  particular  Acquaintance  with  these 
two  Sachems:  He  invited  them  to  a  private. 
Conference,  at  which  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Barclay  assisted  as  Interpreter;  they  met 
him,  and  brought  five  more  with  them: 
After  this  Conference  these  Sachems  appear' d 
as  hearty  as  any  of  the  others.  He  that  was 
Head  of  the  Tribe  call'd  the  Tortoise,  said, 
"  His  Uncle  had  been  the  chief  War-Captain 
among  the  Mohawks :  That  his  Uncle  had 
particularly  distinguished  himself  in  their 
Wars  against  the  French,  and  he  was  resolved 
to  shew  himself  not  unworthy  of  his  Ances- 
tors, nor  of  his  Uncle's  Name,  which  he  had 
obtained  after  his  Death." 

After  the  principal  Sachems  had,  at  these 
Conferences,  been  brought  to  a  good  Disposi- 
tion, his  Excellency  advised  with  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  Council,  and  the  Commissioners 
from  the  Massachusets  Bay,  on  what  might 
be  proper  to  be  said  to  the  Six  Nations  in 
the  publick  Speech,  which  he  now  proposed 
to  make  to  them.  Col.  Wendell  and  Mr. 
WTells  had  arrived  from  Boston  about  the  End 
of  July,  and  soon  after  they  came  to  Town, 
his  Excellency  ordered  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Council  to  communicate  to  them  all  the  In- 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

formation  which  had  been  received,  with  re- 
spect to  the  Indian  Affairs :  And  they  had 
frequent  Conferences  together  from  Time  to 
Time,  as  Occasion  required :  It  was  likewise 
thought  proper  to  communicate,  what  his  Ex- 
cellency intended  to  say  to  some  of  the 
Sachems  of  each  Nation,  who  were  thought 
most  hearty  in  the  British  Interest;  who 
said,  that  it  was  well  conceiv'd  as  could  have 
been  done,  had  they  themselves  advised  upon 
the  Subject;  only  as  it  had  been  advised  to 
observe  in  the  first  Draught,  That  some  of 
his  Majesty's  Subjects  had  been  instigated  by 
the  French  to  rise  in  Rebellion  against  the 
King ;  that  they  had  been  defeated  by  one  of 
the  King's  Sons ;  that  these  poor  People  were 
now  utterly  ruined,  and  had  nothing  left  but 
to  bewail  their  Folly  in  the  Misery  that  was 
brought  upon  them,  by  suffering  themselves 
to  be  deluded  by  the  Promises  of  the  French ; 
they  said,  that  they  did  not  understand  the 
Affairs  on  the  other  Side  of  the  Sea,  nor  did 
they  trouble  their  Heads  about  them ;  and  as 
they  had  no  Method  of  retaining  what  is 
spoke  to  them  but  by  their  Memories,  they 
were  afraid  that  this  might  perplex  their 
Memories,  and  make  them  less  attentive  to 
what  was  properly  their  Business ;  and  ad- 
vised, that  it  should  be  left  out;  which  ac- 
cordingly was  done. 

Another  Difficulty  remained;   the  publick 
223 


TH$  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Interpreter  had  been  taken  dangerously  ill 
in  his  Return  to  Albany,  and  was  at  this 
Time  confined  to  his  Bed.  Tho'  several  were 
employed,  who  had  Knowledge  sufficient  in 
the  Language  of  the  Six  Nations,  to  make 
themselves  be  understood,  and  to  understand 
what  was  spoke  to  them ;  yet  none  of  them 
were  so  much  Masters  of  the  Language,  as  to 
speak  with  that  Propriety  and  Distinctness 
that  is  expected,  and  usual  on  so  solemn  an 
Occasion.  It  was  thought  therefore  proper, 
to  make  one  of  the  Sachems  understand  the 
Speech,  by  the  Assistance  of  the  common  In- 
terpreters, that  he  might  be  able  to  deliver 
it  Paragraph  by  Paragraph,  as  it  should  be 
spoke.  At  first  a  Mohawk  Sachem  was 
pitched  upon;  but  the  Sachems  themselves 
told  us,  That  for  some  time  past  a  kind  of 
Party-Division  among  the  Six  Nations  had 
subsisted:  That  the  Mohawks,  Onandagas, 
and  Senekas,  form'd  one  Party;  and  the 
Oneydoes,  Tuscaroras,  and  Cayugas,  the 
other :  That,  as  the  Mohawks  might  be  sus- 
pected to  be  more  partial  to  the  English,  it 
would  be  of  more  Use  to  employ  one  of  the 
other  Party;  and  an  Oneydo  Sachem  was 
proposed  for  that  Purpose.  This  Man  was 
easily  enough  made  to  understand  the  Speech, 
and  he  repeated  it  several  Times  over  in  pri- 
vate, and  was  instructed  where  to  make  the 
proper  Stops.  After  the  Speech  was  deliv- 
224 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ered,  some  of  the  Commissioners  for  Indian 
Affairs,  and  other  Persons  present  at  the  De- 
livery, who  understood  both  Languages,  ac- 
knowledged, that  this  Indian  had  acquitted 
himself  of  his  Trust  faithfully,  and  had  de- 
livered the  Sense  of  the  Speech  clearly  and 
distinctly. 

While  these  last  Preparations  were  mak- 
ing, his  Excellency  was  taken  ill  of  a  Fever, 
which  occasioned  some  further  Delay;  and 
as  his  Excellency  did  not  recover  so  soon  as 
was  wished,  the  Sachems  were  told,  that  his 
Excellency  being  unwilling  to  detain  them 
without  necessity,  would,  if  they  desired  it, 
direct  Mr.  Colden  to  speak  to  them  in  his 
Name,  what  he  designed  to  say.  They  an- 
swered, that  they  would  be  well  pleased  to 
hear  it  from  Mr.  Colden's  Mouth. 
Vol.  IL-15 


2ft 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

At    Albany    the    Nineteenth  of  August, 
1746. 

PRESENT, 

The     f  Cadwallader  Colden>  ]  'KUftft 

Hon"- 1  PmLIP  Livingston>         I-  £Sf£*»5 
I  John  Rutherford,  York/" 


New- 


The  Commissioners  from  the  Government 
of  the  Massachusets-Bay. 

The  Commissioners  of  the  Province  of 
New- York  for  Indian  Affairs. 

The  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Albany. 
The  Officers  of  the  Independent  Companies, 
and  of  the  new  Levies  then  at  Albany.  Sev- 
eral Gentlemen  of  the  Province  of  New- York : 
And  Strangers. 

Mr.  Colden  introduced  the  Speech  as  fol- 
lows: 

HIS  Excellency  our  Governor  having  been 
taken  ill,  and  as  yet  not  so  well  recov- 
ered as  that  he  can  safely  come  abroad ;  has 
ordered  me  (being  the  next  Person  to  him  in 
the  Administration)  to  speak  to  you  in  his 
Name,  which  I  shall  do  in  the  same  Words 
which  he  designed  to  have  spoke,  had  he  not 
been  prevented  by  Sickness. 

m 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Brethren, 

"  "T  AM  glad  to  see  so  many  of  our  ancient 
JL     Friends    here,    and  heartily   bid  you 
Welcome. 

[Gave  three  Strings  of  Wampum.] 

"I  have  call' d  you  to  this  Place  for  two 
great  Ends,  in  which  the  Province  of  the 
Massachusets-Bay  have  sent  Commissioners 
to  concur  with  me,  who  are  here  present. 

"  The  First  is,  to  renew  the  Covenant-Chain 
with  you ;  and  I  now  by  this  Belt,  in  your 
Father  the  King  of  Great-Britain's  Name,  in 
Behalf  of  his  Majesty's  Subjects  in  North- 
America,  renew  and  confirm  the  Covenant- 
Chain,  and  all  former  treaties  and  Engage- 
ments entered  into  with  you.  This  Chain 
has,  from  the  Beginning,  remained  so  firm 
and  strong,  that  it  has  never  once  broke  or 
slipt  since  it  was  first  made ;  and  we,  on  our 
Parts,  shall  endeavour  that  it  remain  so,  un- 
shaken, as  long  as  the  Sun  and  Moon  shall 
endure.  [Gave  a  Belt.] 

"  Brethren,  Last  Fall  I  told  you,  that  his 
Majesty's  Subjects  in  this  Country  had,  the 
Summer  before,  lain  still,  without  attempting 
any  thing  against  the  French  Settlements: 
But  that  the  French  had  by  Surprize,  at- 
tacked and  destroyed  a  small  Place  near 
Cape-Breton,  belonging  to  us. 

"  That  they  afterwards  laid  Siege  to  An- 
napolis-Royal, and  were  beat  off. 
227 


TH$  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"  I  likewise  told  you,  That  the  Governor  of 
the  Massachusets-Bay,  in  Conjunction  with 
Connecticut  and  New-Hampshire,  had,  in 
Revenge  to  these  Injuries,  sent  an  Army 
against  Louisburg,  on  the  Island  of  Cape* 
Breton ;  that  the  Army  was  joined  by  a  Num- 
ber of  his  Majesty's  Ships  of  War,  under  the 
Command  of  your  Friend  Admiral  Warren. 

"  I  told  you,  that  the  Town  of  Louisburg, 
which  is  the  strongest  the  French  have  in 
America,  was  reduced  by  this  Force;  and 
that  the  French  there  had  surrendered 
themselves  and  their  Country  to  the  Eng- 
lish. 

"  I  likewise  told  you,  how  we,  in  this  Part 
of  the  Country,  had  lain  still,  hoping  that 
the  French  in  Canada  would  either  be  quiet, 
or  carry  on  the  War  in  a  manly  Manner,  and 
after  the  Manner  of  Christians.  And  to  in- 
duce them  thereto,  a  Message  had  been  sent 
from  this  Place  to  the  Governor  of  Canada, 
to  tell  him,  That  if  he  should  revive  the  in- 
human Custom  of  murdering  private  People, 
by  sculking  Indians,  that  the  several  Gov- 
ernors of  Lis  Majesty's  Colonies,  together 
with  you  our  Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations, 
would  join  and  make  Reprisals  on  them  in 
the  like  Manner ;  at  which  time  you  publickly 
declared,  that  if  any  of  his  Majesty's  Sub- 
jects, in  any  Part  of  his  Governments,  should 
be  killed  by  any  Indians,  you  would  imme- 
228 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

diately  join  in  the  War  against  them,  and  the 
French. 

"And  last  Fall,  when  I  delivered  the 
Hatchet  into  your  Hands,  you  told  me,  and 
confirm' d  it  with  a  Belt,  That  you  would 
send  some  of  your  People  (who  were  then 
ready)  to  Canada,  to  demand  Satisfaction, 
and  that  if  Satisfaction  was  refused,  you 
would  use  the  Hatchet  against  them,  when- 
ever I  should  order  it. 

"And  you  further  pomised,  That  if  the 
Enemy  should  commit  any  further  Hostilities, 
you  would  then  (upon  my  Commands)  imme- 
diately make  Use  of  the  Hatchet. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you,  how  far  the  French 
have  been  from  giving  Satisfaction ;  on  the 
contrary,  you  are  well  acquainted  with  the 
cruel  and  barbarous  Murders  that  have  been 
committed,  since  that  Time,  by  the  French 
Indians  at  Saraghtoga,  and  in  the  Neighbour- 
hoods of  this  Place,  and  on  the  Frontiers  of 
New-England ;  as  you  have  not  hitherto  ful- 
filled your  Promises,  I  suspect  that  they  did 
not  come  from  your  Hearts :  I  therefore,  by 
this  Belt,  demand  an  immediate  Performance 
of  your  Promises,  to  shew  that  they  come 
from  the  Bottom  of  your  Hearts ;  as  all  the 
Promises  I  make  come  from  mine,  and  ever 
shall.  [Gave  a  Belt.] 

"  Brethren,  I  now  come  to  the  second  and 
principal  Design  of  our  present  Meeting,  in 
229 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

which  I  hope  and  expect  to  find  you  hearty, 
and  united  in  your  Councils  and  Opinions. 

[Gave  a  Belt.] 

"  The  King  your  Father,  having  been  in- 
formed of  the  unmanly  Murders  committed! 
on  the  Frontiers  of  New-England,  and  of 
this  Province,  is  resolved  to  subdue  the  Coun- 
try of  Canada,  and  thereby  put  an  End  to  all 
the  mischievous  Designs  of  the  French  in 
these  Parts.  And  for  this  purpose,  he  has 
ordered  his  Governors  of  Virginia,  Mary- 
land, Pensylvania,  and  New- Jersey,  to  join 
their  Forces  to  the  Forces  of  this  Province, 
to  attack  Canada  by  Land :  They  are  all  now 
upon  their  march,  and  you  will  soon  see  them 
here. 

"  At  the  same  Time  the  Forces  of  the  Mas- 
sachusets-Bay,  Connecticut,  Rhode-Island, 
and  New-Hampshire,  are  to  go  in  Ships  to 
Cape-Breton,  and  there  join  with  his  Maj- 
esty's Ships  of  War,  and  a  great  Army  of 
experienc'd  Soldiers  from  Great-Britain. 

"Many  Ships  of  War  are  already  arrived 
there,  and  some  thousand  of  Soldiers ;  many 
more  Ships  and  Soldiers  are  following ;  and 
I  expect  every  Hour  to  hear  of  their  Arrival ; 
after  which  the  Attack  upon  Canada  will  be 
made  on  all  Sides,  both  by  Sea  and  Land. 

"  You  may  perceive  the  King  has  ordered 
a  Strength  sufficient  to  subdue  Canada;  but 
at  the  same  Time,  the  King  your  Father  ex- 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

pects  and  orders  you  his  Children,  to  join 
with  your  whole  Force  in  this  Enterprize; 
and  thereby  gives  the  Six  Nations  a  glorious 
Opportunity  of  establishing  their  Fame  and 
Eenown  over  all  the  Indian  Nations  in  Amer- 
ica, in  the  Conquest  of  your  inveterate  Ene- 
mies the  French;  who,  however  they  may 
dissemble  and  profess  Friendship,  can  never 
forget  the  Slaughter  which  your  Fathers 
made  of  them ;  and  for  that  purpose,  caress 
those  Nations  who  have  always  been  your  in- 
veterate Enemies,  and  who  desire  nothing  so 
much  as  to  see  the  Name  of  the  Six  Nations 
become  obliterate,  and  forgot  for  ever. 

[Gave  a  Belt.] 
"Brethren,  The  French,  on  all  Occasions, 
shew,  that  they  act  against  your  Brethren 
the  English,  like  Men  that  know  they  dare 
not  look  them  in  the  Face  in  Day-Light ;  and 
therefore,  like  Thieves,  steal  upon  poor  Peo- 
ple, who  do  not  expect  them,  in  the  Night, 
and  consequently  are  not  prepared  for  them : 
Your  Brethren  in  their  Kevenge  have  acted 
like  Men  of  Courage ;  they  do  not  attack  poor 
Farmers  at  their  Labour,  but  boldly  attempted 
the  Reduction  of  Louisburg,  the  strongest 
Town  the  French  had  in  America,  in  the  for- 
tifying of  which  they  had  spent  above  twenty 
Years :  It  was  surrounded  with  strong  Walls 
and  Forts,  in  which  they  had  planted  their 
largest  Cannon  in  every  Place,  where  they 
231 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

thought  the  English  could  come  near  them ; 
notwithstanding  of  all  these  Precautions  and 
Advantages,  they  were  forced  to  submit  to 
the  English  Valour. 

"  You  must  have  heard  from  your  Fathers, 
and  I  doubt  not  several  of  your  old  Men  still 
remember  what  the  French  did  at  Onondaga ; 
how  they  surprized  your  Countrymen  at 
Cadarackui ;  how  they  invaded  the  Senekas, 
and  what  Mischiefs  they  did  to  the  Mohawks ; 
how  many  of  your  Countrymen  suffered  by 
the  Fire  at  Montreal.  Before  they  entered 
upon  these  cruel  and  mischievous  Designs, 
they  sent  Priests  among  you  to  delude  you, 
and  lull  you  asleep,  while  they  were  prepar- 
ing to  knock  you  on  the  Head ;  and  I  hear 
they  are  attempting  to  do  the  same  now. 

[Gave  a  Belt.] 

"  I  need  not  put  you  in  mind  what  Revenge 
your  Fathers  took  for  these  Injuries,  when 
they  put  all  the  Island  of  Montreal,  and  a 
great  Part  of  Canada,  to  Fire  and  Sword; 
can  you  think  that  the  French  forget  this? 
No,  they  have  the  Ax  privately  in  their 
Hands  against  you,  and  use  these  deceitful 
Arts,  by  which  only  they  have  been  able  to 
gain  Advantage  over  you,  that  by  your  trust- 
ing to  them,  they  may  at  some  time  or  other, 
at  one  Blow,  remove  from  the  Face  of  the 
Earth,  the  Eemembrance  of  a  People  that 
have  so  often  put  them  to  Shame  and  Flight. 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

"  If  your  Fathers  could  now  rise  out  of 
their  Graves,  how  would  their  Hearts  leap 
with  Joy  to  see  this  Day ;  when  so  glorious 
an  Opportunity  is  put  into  their  Hands  to  re- 
venge all  the  Injuries  their  Country  has  re- 
ceived from  the  French,  and  be  never  more 
exposed  to  their  Treachery  and  Deceit. 

I  make  no  doubt  you  are  the  true  Sons  of 
such  renowned  and  brave  Ancestors,  ani- 
mated with  the  same  Spirit  for  your  Coun- 
try's Glory,  and  in  Revenge  of  the  Injuries 
your  Fathers  received,  uncapable  of  being  de- 
luded by  the  nattering  Speeches  of  them,  who 
always  have  been,  and  always  must  be,  in 
their  Hearts,  your  Enemies,  and  who  desire 
nothing  more,  than  the  Destruction  of  your 
Nations. 

"  I  therefore  invite  you,  Brethren,  by  this 
Belt,  to  join  with  us,  and  to  share  with  us, 
in  the  Honour  of  the  Conquest  of  our  and 
your  deceitful  Enemies;  and  that  you  not 
only  join  all  the  Force  of  the  Six  Nations 
with  us,  but  likewise  invite  all  the  Nations 
depending  on  you,  to  take  a  Share  in  this 
glorious  Enterprize :  And  I  will  furnish  your 
fighting  Men  with  Arms,  Ammunition,  Cloath- 
ing,  Provisions,  and  every  Thing  necessary 
for  the  War;  and  in  their  Absence,  take 
Care  of  their  Wives  and  Children. 

[Gave  the  War-Belt.] 

"  Brethren,  You  have  seen  how  daring  and 
233 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

insulting  on  you,  as  well  as  us,  the  French 
Indians  have  been,  in  cruelly  murdering  sev- 
eral of  our  People,  since  you  have  come  to 
this  Place ;  and  therefore,  for  the  many  Rea- 
sons now  laid  before  you,  I  make  no  doubt 
but  your  Answer  will  clearly  manifest  your 
Duty  to  the  King  your  Father,  and  your 
Love  to  your  Brethren ;  and  by  this  Belt  I 
do  assure  you,  that  our  Intent  is,  to  live  and 
die  together."      [Gave  a  Belt  of  Friendship.] 

At  every  Stop  where  a  Belt  was  given,  one 
-of  the  Sachems  call'd  out  Yo-hay,  to  which 
all  the  rest  answered  in  a  Sound  which  can 
not  be  expressed  in  our  Letters,  but  seem'd 
to  consist  of  two  Words  remarkably  distin- 
guished in  the  Cadence ;  it  seem'd  to  this  pur- 
pose ;  the  Sachem  calls,  Do  your  hear?  The 
Answer  is,  We  attend  and  remember,  or  un- 
derstand ;  or  else  it  is  a  Kind  of  Plaudit  our 
Interpreters  could  not  explain.  At  the  Close 
of  the  Speech,  one  Sachem  of  each  Nation 
call'd  out  severally  the  Yo-hay,  to  which  the 
others  of  the  same  Nation  answer' d  sever- 
ally: But  when  the  War-Belt  was  thrown 
down,  they  gave  the  War-Shout.  We  ex- 
pected but  six  of  these  Plaudits,  according  to 
the  Number  of  the  Six  Nations,  but  eight 
were  distinctly  delivered ;  by  which  we  under- 
stood some  other  Nations  were  united  with 
them  on  this  Occasion. 
234 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

After  the  Speech  was  delivered,  the 
Sachems  of  the  several  Nations  had  Confer- 
ences together ;  and  some  time  being  spent  in 
deliberating,  they  acquainted  his  Excellency, 
"That  they  had  agreed  upon  their  Answer, 
which  they  were  ready  to  give  whenever  he 
would  appoint  a  Time  to  receive  it  j "  and  he 
named  the  next  Day. 

Accordingly  on  the  23d  of  August,  His  Ex- 
cellency being  present ;  the  Gentlemen  of 
the  Council ;  the  Commissioners  from  Bos- 
ton ;  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs ; 
the  Corporation  of  Albany;  and  many 
Gentlemen,  as  at  the  Time  when  his  Ex- 
cellency's Speech  was  delivered, 

An  Onondaga  Sachem,  who  had  formerly 
been  Speaker  for  the  Six  Nations  on  several 
publick  Occasions,  rose  up  and  spoke :  What 
he  3aid  was  publickly  interpreted,  in  the 
Hearing  of  several  who  understood  the  In- 
dian Language  well,  as  follows : 

Brethren  of  New  York  and  of  the  Massachw 
sets-Bay, 

WE  the  Six  Nations  are  now  assembled 
together  as  one  Man,  and  we  take  in 
the  Messesagues  for  the  seventh  Nation ;  and 
what  is  now  to  be  spoken  by  one  Mouth,  are 
the  joint  and  sincere  Thoughts  of  every 
Heart. 

236 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

We  are  pleas' d  that  you  follow  the  Steps 

of  our  Fore-fathers,  in  wiping  off  the  sorrow- 
ful Tears  from  our  Eyes,  by  which  the  Stop- 
page of  our  Throats  are  opened,  and  the 
bloody  Bed  wash'd  clean. 

[Gave  three  Strings  of  Wampum.] 

Brethren,  The  first  Time  we  met  together, 
we  only  saluted  each  other  by  shaking  of 
Hands;  we  afterwards  made  a  Covenant 
Chain  of  Silver,  which  we  mutually  have 
held  fast  to  this  Day;  should  it  now  slip 
from  either  of  our  Hands,  it  would  prove 
Destruction  to  both  Sides,  since  our  Enemies 
have  drawn  the  Sword.  [Gave  a  Belt.] 

Brother  of  New- York ;  Last  Year  you  gave 
us  the  Hatchet  to  be  made  Use  of  against  your 
Enemies,  the  French,  which  we  accepted  and 
promised  to  make  use  of  it  if  they  should 
commit  any  farther  Hostilities  upon  the  Eng- 
lish, which  they  have  now  done  by  destroying 
Saraghtoga,  and  shedding  a  great  deal  of 
Blood :  Hitherto  we  have  made  no  use  of  the 
Hatchet ;  but  as  you  now  call  upon  us,  we 
are  ready,  and  do  declare  from  the  Bottom  of 
our  Hearts,  that  we  will  from  this  Day,  make 
use  of  it  against  the  French,  and  their  Chil- 
dren, (meaning  their  Indians.) 

[N.  B.  The  Question  was  asked  them  by  his 
Excellency,  Whether  by  the  Words  their 
Children,  they  meant  all  the  Indians  in 
236 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Alliance  with  the  French?  to  which  they 
answered,  Yes.] 
[At  the  End  of  the  foregoing  Paragraph,  the 
Speaker  threw  down  a  War-Belt  of  Wam- 
pum on  the  Ground,  it  being  the  Indian 
Custom  to  deliver  War-Belts,  or  make 
Declaration  of  War  in  this  Manner :  This 
he  did  with  a  remarkable  Shew  of  Indigna- 
tion, intending  thereby  to  express  their 
Resentment  against  the  French  and  their 
Allies,  and  their  Zeal  for  the  English.] 

[Gave  a  Belt.] 
Brother  of  New- York ;  According  to  your 
Exhortation  in  your  Speech  to  us,  we  are 
firmly  united  together  from  this  Time,  to  act 
as  having  one  Heart ;  the  Messesagues  are  in 
the  same  Manner  joined  and  united  with  us, 
likewise  the  Southern  Nations  bordering  upon 
us;  and  we  hope  that  you,  and  the  other 
Governors  on  the  Continent,  will  be  in  the 
same  Manner  joined  and  united  together. 

[Gave  a  Belt.] 

[They  repeated  over  his  Excellency's  Speech 

in  Relation  to  the  Conquest  of  Cape-Breton ; 

and  added,  We  hope  that  our  Fleet  and 

Army  will  be  also  victorious  in  the  present 

Expedition  against  Canada ;  for  the  French 

are  a  mischievous  People.]    [Gave  a  Belt.] 

As   to   your  Suspicions  of   our  admitting 

French  Priests  among  us,  they  are  become 

groundless,  since  we  have  now  declared  War 

237 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

against  them:  The  admitting  of  Priests, 
would  only  tend  to  lull  us  asleep  to  our  De- 
struction ;  should  any  now  dare  to  come,  we 
know  no  Use  for  them  but  to  roast  them. 
The  Thoughts  of  the  Treatment  we  formerly 
received  from  the  French  thro'  the  Means 
of  their  Priests,  and  which  you  now  seasona- 
bly have  brought  to  our  Remembrance  makes 
our  Blood  to  boil. 

Brother  of  New- York ;  This  is  the  second 
Time  you  have  put  the  Hatchet  into  our 
Hands,  which  we  accept,  and  are  ready  to  go 
upon  Service.  You  may  see  that  we  have 
but  a  Handful  of  fighting  Men  here  at  pres- 
ent ;  however,  some  of  them  from  each  Na- 
tion shall  be  left  behind  us  to  follow  your 
Orders. 

When  we  return  to  our  respective  Castles, 
we  shall  send  down  a  great  Number  of  our 
Warriors  and  of  those  of  the  Nations  in  Alli- 
ance with  us,  as  soon  as  possible. 

This  we  assure  you  of  from  the  Truth  and 
Sincerity  of  our  Hearts ;  and  we  receive,  and 
shall  preserve  this  large  Belt,  [holding  it  up 
at  the  same  Time]  which  you  have  now  given 
us,  as  a  War-Hatchet. 

Brethren,  This  is  the  Belt  of  Union  with 
which  we  are  to  go  Hand  in  Hand  to  the 
Gate  of  our  Enemies,  and  by  it  we  declare 
our  intention  to  conquer  or  die  in  the  com- 
mon Cause. 

238 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

There  is  a  Nation  call'd  the  Messesagues 
whose  Delegates  are  here  present :  They  con- 
sist of  five  Castles,  containing  eight  hundred 
Men,  who  are  all  determined,  and  do  agree 
to  join  us,  in  this  common  Cause,  against  our 
Enemies  the  French,  and  their  Indians ;  and 
we  hope  you,  and  the  Commissioners  from 
Boston,  will  use  them  in  such  a  Manner  that 
they  will  go  home  content  and  satisfied. 
[Gave  a  Belt  of  Union,  in  which  the  Figures 

of  several  Persons  join'd  Hand  in  Hand, 

was  wrought.] 

The  Person  who  interpreted,  returned  the 
Yo-hah  at  the  End  of  every  Paragraph,  and 
having  done  the  same  at  the  Time  they  de- 
clared War,  it  occasioned  Laughter  among 
them :  upon  which,  observing  his  Mistake,  he 
began  the  War- Shout,  in  which  all  the  In- 
dians joined. 

The  Messesagues  are  a  Nation  of  Indians, 
living  near  the  Place  called  De  Troit  by  the 
French,  and  situated  between  Lake  Erie  and 
the  Huron  Lake. 

After  the  Speaker  had  finished,  his  Excel 
lency  told  them  by  the  Interpreter,  that  the 
King  their  Father  had  ordered  him  to  make 
them  a  Present  on  this  Occasion ;  and  that 
the  Government  of  Virginia  had  on  the  same 
Occasion,  sent  them  a  Present.  The  Com- 
missioners from  Boston  at  the  same  Time  told 
239 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

them,  that  they  had  a  Present  from  theii 
Government ;  and  as  they  were  soon  to  return 
Home,  desired  the  Six  Nations  to  come  to 
their  Lodgings  to  receive  it ;  on  which  the 
Indians  desired  his  Excellency  to  delay  his 
Present  to  next  Day,  and  they  imme- 
diately went  to  receive  their  Presents  from 
the  Commissioners  of  the  Massachusets- 
Bay. 

The  next  Day,  the  Presents  from  the  King 
being  exposed  on  one  Part,  and  those  from 
Virginia  separately  near  them,  it  was  agreed 
by  the  People  of  Albany,  who  had  seen  many 
publick  Presents  given  to  the  Six  Nations  on 
Treaties  with  them,  that  this  was  the  most 
valuable  ever  given.  His  Excellency  on  giv- 
ing the  Presents,  said : 

"  Brethren, 

""VTOU  nere  see  a  Token  of  the  Regard 
A  the  King  your  Father  has  for  you ; 
and  there  is  a  Token  of  the  Friendship  of  the 
Government  of  Virginia :  But  on  this  Occa- 
sion I  cannot  forbear  taking  Notice  to  you, 
that  some  of  your  People  being  at  Canada, 
when  the  News  of  the  Reduction  of  Cape- 
Breton  came  there,  and  when  the  French  ex- 
pected that  Quebec  would  be  immediately 
attacked  in  Consequence  of  it,  several  of  them 
joined  with  the  French,  and  promised  them 
Assistance.  This  occasioned  some  Uneasiness 
240 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

to  your  Brethren,  being  contrary  to  the  Faith 
of  your  Nations,  as  well  as  to  your  Brethren's 
Expectations;  however,  you  may  now,  by 
performing  the  Promises  you  Yesterday  made 
in  the  most  solemn  Manner,  remove  all  Sus- 
picions ;  and  for  ever  secure  the  Friendship 
of  your  Brethren,  which  hitherto  has  from 
the  Beginning,  remained  unviolated  on  their 
Parts.  The  Goods  now  before  you,  are  Pres- 
ents to  the  Six  Nations ;  and,  as  we  have  re- 
ceived the  Messesagues  into  the  Covenant 
between  you  and  us,  I  expect  that  they  shall 
share  with  you.  Besides  these  general  Pres- 
ents now  made  to  your  Nations,  I  have  pre- 
pared proper  Cloathing  for  your  War-Cap- 
tains, and  the  Warriors  who  shall  go  under 
their  Command;  together  with  Arms,  Am- 
munition and  Provisions,  which  shall  be  de- 
livered to  the  several  Parties  at  the  Time 
they  shall  go  out  on  Service." 

What  his  Excellency  said  having  been  in- 
terpreted by  a  Mohawk  Sachem,  and  the 
Sachem  added  of  his  own  Head,  You  now 
see  how  you  are  here  treated,  really  like 
Brethren ;  the  Governor  of  Canada  does  not 
treat  his  Indians  so ;  they  are  set  on  like  his 
Dogs,  and  they  run  on  without  Thought  or 
Consideration :  You  see  what  a  noble  Present 
is  made  to  you ;  if  the  Governor  of  Canada 
should  seize  all  the  Goods  in  that  Country, 
Vol.  II.— 16  241 


THE  CBISTORY  OF  THE 

it  would  not  be  in  his  Power  to  make  such  a 
Present. 

The  Onondaga  Sachem,  Speaker  of  the  Six 
Nations,  immediately  replied, 

Brethren    of  New- York,  New- England  and 
Virginia : 

WE  heard,  and  observe  well,  what  you 
now  and  formerly  spoke  to  us ;  and 
we  beg  no  mention  may  hereafter  be  made 
of  what  passed  last  Fall,  since  we  are  now 
heartily  enter' d  into  the  War  with  you,  and 
have  promised  as  many  fighting  Men  from 
each  Castle  as  can  be  spared ;  and  likewise  to 
engage  as  great  Numbers  of  every  Nation  in 
Alliance  with  us,  as  we  can,  to  join  imme- 
diately with  us  in  the  War  against  the  French, 
and  the  Nations  who  adhere  to  them. 

Brethren   of  New- York,    New- England   and 
Virginia, 
You  must  not  suspect  that  it  proceeds  from 
any  Backwardness    in    us,   that    a    greater 
Number  of  our  People  do  not  at  this  Instant 
join  with  you;    the  Reason  is,  our  Castles 
have  but  few  fighting  Men  in  them,  many  are 
now  Abroad,  some  hunting  and  trading  with 
far  distant  Nations,  and  others  out  fighting 
against  our  Enemies ;    all  these  we  shall  re- 
call Home  as  soon  as  possible,  in  order  to 
242 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

enter  with  all  our  Force,  into  the  War 
against  your  and  our  common  Enemy. 

Brother,  We  have  no  more  to  say  at  this 
Time,  but  only  to  tell  you,  we  are  sorry  that 
we  can  so  little  shew  our  Hearts  by  the  Pres- 
ents we  now  offer;  our  hunting  has  been  so 
very  poor,  that  we  cannot  make  you  Presents 
suitable  to  our  Inclinations. 

The  Mohawks  added  separately :  We  have 
been  employed  all  Summer  in  your  Service  as 
Out-scouts,  to  gain  Intelligence,  or  in  some 
Manner  or  other,  and  thereby  kept  from  hunt- 
ing :  We  have  no  Furrs  to  offer  you,  but  we 
here  present  our  Persons,  to  serve  you  where- 
ever  you  shall  command. 

That  Day  was  spent  in  dividing  the  Pres- 
ents among  themselves.  We  were  told,  that 
these  Presents  were  divided  into  eight  equal 
Parts,  of  which  they  gave  two  to  the  Mes- 
sesague  Deputies. 

The  next  Day  the  War-Kettle  was  set  over 
the  Fire,  and  towards  Evening  the  Indians  in 
his  Excellency's  Presence,  where  many  Gen- 
tlemen attended  him,  began  the  War-Dance, 
and  continued  it  till  late  in  the  Night :  They 
were  painted  as  when  they  go  to  WTar.  The 
Dance  is  a  slow  and  solemn  Motion,  accom- 
panied with  a  pathetick  Song.  The  Indians 
in  their  Turns  perform  this  singly,  but  it  ia 
not  easy  to  describe  the  Particularities  of  it. 
243 


the  History  of  the 

His  Excellency  call'd  several  of  the  chief 
Sachems  who  had  been  useful  in  the  Treaty, 
to  him  in  private,  and  gave  them  Presents 
severally ;  neither  did  he  forget  the  Messe- 
sague  Deputies :  He  had  a  particular  Confer- 
ence with  one  of  them  in  private,  the  other 
was  sick  of  the  Small-Pox.  At  this  Confer- 
ence, this  Deputy  assured  his  Excellency  of 
the  good  Inclinations  of  his  Nation  to  the 
English,  and  their  Aversion  to  the  French ; 
he  said,  "  That  many  of  the  Nations  to  the 
Westward  of  them,  disliked  the  French ; " 
and  as  an  Instance  of  it,  he  told,  "  That  the 
French  lately  having  pressed  a  neighbouring 
Nation  to  take  up  the  Hatchet  against  the 
English,  they  received  it ;  but  made  Use  of 
it  against  the  French  thoaicclves,  and  kill'd 
all  the  French  than  wiuh  them,  being  sixty 
in  Number,  with  tho  Loss  of  only  one  Man 
of  their  own  Nation."  His  Excellency  made 
him  handsome  Presents,  and  gave  him  a  Belt 
to  carry  to  his  Nation,  with  an  Invitation  to 
join  in  the  War  against  the  French;  the  Mes- 
sesague  received  them  with  a  Profession  of 
the  most  sincere  and  hearty  Friendship ;  and 
that  he  made  no  doubt  of  bringing  two,  three, 
or  four  hundred  Men  of  his  Nation,  to  serve 
this  Fall  against  the  French.  He  added, 
"  That  he  and  several  of  his  Relations  would 
immediately  use  their  best  Endeavours,  with 
several  other  Nations  to  the  Westward  of 
244 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

them,  who  were  numerous,  to  join  against  the 
French;  in  which,  he  said,  he  had  great 
Hopes  of  Success,  because  they  were  dissatis- 
fied with  the  French. " 

His  Excellency  took  all  possible  Care  of 
the  sick  Messesague,  had  him  brought  into  a 
House,  and  ordered  him  to  h<  attended  by 
two  Physicians ;  but  the  poor  Man  had  the 
Misfortune  to  die,  after  he  had  been  above  a 
Fortnight  ill.  When  he  found  himself  near 
his  End,  he  sent  to  the  Governor,  to  desire 
him  as  his  last  Request,  tha .  his  Excellency 
would  send  the  first  French  Sj alp  that  should 
be  taken,  to  his  Mother;  an.  when  he  was 
told  that  his  Excellency  had  promised  it,  he 
shewed  a  Contentednecs  and  Resignation  to 
Death.  This  Misfortune  was  increased  by 
the  Death  of  the  other  Messesague  Deputy 
likewise,  who  was  taken  ill  in  his  Way 
Home,  and  died.  The  Six  Nations  took  Care 
of  their  Wives  and  Children,  who  had  come 
with  them ;  and  it  was  not  doubted  but  that 
they,  and  all  the  Presents  given  them,  would 
be  safely  conveyed  to  their  own  Homes. 

Having  so  far  given  an  Account  of  what 
passed  with  the  Six  Nations,  ;".t  may  be  proper 
next  to  relate  the  Treaty  with  the  Mehikan- 
ders,  or  River  Indians,  viz.  The  several 
Tribes  of  Indians  living  at  several  Places  on 
each  Side  of  Hudson's  River. 

On  his  Excellency's  Arrival  at  Albany, 
245 


th£  history  of  the 

having  found  that  there  had  been  a  Neglect 
in  sending  for  the  Esopus  and  Minissink  In- 
dians, he  sent  Orders  for  them  to  be  invited. 
The  Mehikanders  being  conveened  the  21st, 
his  Excellency  directed  Mr,  Colden  to  speak 
to  them  in  his  Name  and  Words ;  which  Mr. 
Colden  did;  the  other  Gentlemen  of  the 
Council,  the  Commissioners  from  Boston,  the 
Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs,  and  several 
other  Gentlemen  being  present,  in  the  Words 
following : 

"  Children, 

"  T*  AM  glad  to  meet  you  at  this  Time,  as 
X  are  likewise  the  Commissioners  from 
the  Massachusets-Bay,  who  are  now  come 
hither  to  concur  with  me  upon  the  present 
Occasion ;  and  I  take  this  Opportunity  to  re- 
new the  ancient  Covenant  Chain  with  you,  in 
Behalf  of  this  and  all  his  Majesty's  Govern- 
ments in  America,  which  you  know  has  al- 
ways been  kept  bright  and  clean,  without  any 
of  the  least  Stain  or  Eust,  and  which  by  this 
Belt  I  strengthen.  [Gave  a  Belt.] 

"Children,  My  meeting  you  here,  besides 
renewing  the  Covenant  Chain,  is  with  Inten- 
tion that  you  should  join  your  Force  with 
ours,  by  taking  up  the  Hatchet  against  our 
and  your  common  Enemies  the  French,  and 
their  Indians  •,  who  have  in  a  very  unmanly 
Manner,  by  sculking  Parties,  murdered  in  cold 
246 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Blood,  many  of  y:ur  Brethren  in  this  and  the 
Province  of  the  Massachuset's-Bay. 

"  This  Behaviour  lays  us  under  a  Necessity 
of  making  Reprisals  on  them  in  like  Manner, 
in  which  I  mako  n<  doubt  of  your  Assistance ; 
and  we  are  resolved  to  take  a  thorough  Re- 
venge of  our  and  your  perpetual  Enemies,  by 
reducing  the  Country  of  Canada,  that  it  may 
not  be  in  the  Power  of  these  perfidious,  de- 
ceitful j  and  crual  People,  to  do  you  or  us  any 
Injury  for  the  future  :  For  which  Purpose  all 
the  neighbouring  Colonies,  together  with 
many  Ships  of  War  and  Soldiers  from  Great- 
Britain,  are  resolved  to  unite  their  Force, 
and  to  attack  Canada  in  all  Parts,  both  by 
Sea  and  Land;  and  I  make  no  doubt,  you 
will  on  this  Occasion  shew  yourselves  dutiful 
Children,  in  joining  heartily  with  us  and  the 
Six  Nations,  in  this  glorious  Enterprise;  by 
which  you  will  not  only  gain  Honour  and 
Renown,  but  also  Safety  and  Prosperity  to 
yourselves,  your  Wives,  and  Children  for 
ever  afterwards :  And  for  which  End  I  will 
furnish  your  fighting  Men  with  Arms,  Am- 
munition, Cloathing,  Provisions,  and  every 
Thing  necessary  for  the  War." 

[Gave  a  War-Belt.] 

On  tVe  26th  they  gave  their  Answer,  which 
was  interpreted  in  the  following  words ;  (the 
same  Persons  being  present,  that  were  when 
247 


THE  x  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the    Governor's    Speech   was    delivered    to 
them.) 

Father, 

WE  are  glad  to  see  you;  and  we  are 
come  to  renew  the  Covenant  Chain, 
and  make  it  fast  and  bright  as  ever,  and  free 
from  Rust,  and  as  a  Token  thereof  we  give 
you  this  Belt.  [Gave  a  Belt.] 

Father,  You  have  told  us  what  Mischief 
the  French  have  done,  a,  d  what  Murders  upon 
the  Christians  they  have  committed;  there- 
fore we  declare  from  our  Hearts,  and  not 
from  our  Lips  only,  that  as  you  have  ordered 
us  to  shed  the  Enemies'  Blood  in  Return  for 
what  they  have  done,  we  are  resolved  to  live 
and  die  with  you  in  the  common  Cause. 

When  you  Christans  are  at  War,  you  make 
Peace  with  one  another,  but  it  is  not  so  with 
us,  therefore  we  depend  upon  you  to  take 
Care  of  us ;  in  Confidence  of  which,  we  now 
take  up  the  Hatchet,  and  will  make  Use  of 
it  against  the  French,  and  their  Indians. 

[Gave  a  Belt  with  a  Hatchet.] 

After  their  Answer  they  began  the  War- 
Dance,  and  his  Excellency  ordered  a  consider- 
able Present  in  Goods  to  be  publickly  given 
them.  None  of  these  are  suspected  to  be 
under  French  Influence. 

As  there  was  no  Advice  of  the  Arrival  of 
248 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS.  &c. 

the  Fleet,  and  no  Plan  of  Operations  agreed 
on  in  Case  the  Fleet  did  not  arrive,  the  sup- 
porting of  about  seven  hundred  Indians  was 
a  great  Expence  to  his  Excellency,  for  which 
he  had  no  Allowance  from  the  Province  of 
New- York,  or  for  any  other  Charge  attending 
this  Treaty :  And  as  many  of  the  Indians, 
(above  twenty)  had  got  the  Small-Pox,  it 
being  impracticable  to  prevent  their  going  into 
Town,  or  conversing  with  the  Town's  People, 
and  the  Indians  becoming  uneasy  by  Reason 
of  the  Sickness  of  many,  and  Death  of  some ; 
his  Excellency  thought  it  most  prudent  to 
dismiss  them  as  soon  as  possible  from  this 
Place,  and  to  give  Orders  to  Mr.  Johnson, 
to  send  out  several  Parties  from  Schenectade, 
or  his  own  Settlement  near  the  lower  Mohawk 
Castle,  to  harrass  the  French  Settlements  in 
Canada;  and  for  that  Purpose  delivered  to 
him  Cloathing,  Arms  and  Ammunition,  to  be 
given  to  the  fighting  Men,  as  his  Excellency 
had  promised  them  whenever  they  entered  on 
Service,  and  impowered  him  to  furnish  them 
with  Provisions,  and  whatever  Necessaries 
they  should  want. 

Before  they  went,  his  Excellency  sent  to 
them,  to  desire  them  to  leave  their  Sick,  with 
a  Promise  to  take  all  Care  possible  of  them, 
and  that  he  would  order  Physicians  to  attend 
them.  They  were  very  sensible  of  this  Kind- 
ness, and  acknowledged  it;  but  not  above 
249 


THEvHISTORY  OF  THE 

two  or  three  could  be  prevailed  to  stay,  who 
were  so  ill  that  they  could  not  be  removed : 
All  possible  Care  was  taken  of  the  other  Sick, 
in  the  Waggons  which  carried  them  to  Sche- 
nectade. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  the  Captains 
Staats  and  Vromen  brought  the  Indians  liv- 
ing on  the  Branches  of  the  Susquehannah 
River ;  they  came  in  the  Indian  Order,  march- 
ing id  a  single  Line  one  after  the  other,  and 
as  they  passed  the  Fort,  saluted  by  a  running 
Fire  along  the  Line ;  which  Salute  the  Gov- 
ernor ordered  to  be  returned,  by  a  Discharge 
of  some  Cannon  from  the  Fort. 

On  Monday  the  8th  of  the  same  Month  his 
Excellency  spoke  to  them,  telling  them  the 
Substance  of  what  he  had  ordered  to  be  said 
to  the  Six  Nations,  and  their  Answer;  and  as 
this  has  been  set  forth  at  Length  before,  it  is 
needless  to  repeat  what  was  then  said.  The 
Reason  of  his  Excellency's  speaking  to  them 
in  this  Manner  was,  because  these  Nations 
living  on  the  Susquehannah  River  and  its 
Branches,  are  known  to  be  Dependents  on 
the  Six  Nations. 

The  next  Day  they  gave  their  Answer ;  the 
Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  the  Commissioners 
for  Indian  Affairs,  the  Corporation  of  Albany, 
the  Officers  of  the  four  Independent  Com- 
panies, and  several  Officers  of  the  new  Levies, 
and  other  Gentlemen  being  present,  as  they 
250 


FIVE   INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

were  when  his  Excellency  spoke  to  the  In- 
dians: Their  Answer  was  publickly  inter- 
preted as  follows : 

Brother  of  New-  York, 

WE  live  at  Ohguago;  what  News  you 
send  to  the  Six  Nations  is  not  truly 
reported  to  us,  nor  what  the  Governor  of 
Canada  sends  to  them;  we  have  not  been 
properly  taken  Notice  of,  nor  timely  ac- 
quainted with  your  Design  to  treat  with  the 
Six  Nations,  till  near  the  Time  that  your 
Interview  with  them  was  over;  otherwise  we 
should  have  readily  come  along  with  them,  to 
hear  what  our  Brother  had  to  propose  to  us; 
and  if  we  had  received  earlier  Notice,  a  much 
larger  Number  of  our  fighting  Men  would 
have  come  along  with  us:  Our  Settlements 
are  scattering,  and  some  of  them  at  a  great 
Distance  from  others,  and  many  of  our  Men 
are  from  Home  a  hunting ;  we  have,  however, 
sent  the  Belt  of  Invitation  forward  to  those 
who  live  at  a  greater  Distance,  that  they 
may  be  able  at  the  Time  appointed,  to  come 
and  join  us  in  the  War,  as  by  your  Belt  we 
were  desired. 

Brother,  You  Yesterday  informed  us  of 
what  you  had  said  to  the  Six  Nations,  and 
their  Answer;  we  are  grieved  that  the  Six 
Nations  have  not  already  made  use  of  the 
Hatchet,  bat  have  hitherto  kept  it  by  them, 
251 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

and  have  not  sent  out  their  young  Men  to  re* 
venge  the  Murders  which  have  been  com- 
mitted by  the  Enemy. 

We  are  resolved  to  make  use  of  the  Hatchet 
against  the  French,  to  revenge  the  Injuries 
done  to  you  and  your  People,  our  Brethren. 

We  have  received  at  Times  very  different 
kind  of  News  from  the  Six  Nations,  some- 
times it  seemed  as  if  the  French  would  be 
Masters ;  but  it  cannot  be  so,  they  are  a  de- 
ceitful People,  and  cannot  be  trusted;  they 
make  fair  Promises,  and  have  no  Intention  to 
perform  them ;  they  flatter  themselves  with 
Hopes  to  be  Masters,  but  they  shall  be  dis- 
appointed; for  we  shall  keep  the  Hatchet 
firmly  in  or.r  Hands,  and  are  resolved  to 
make  Use  of  it. 

We  know  several  Roads  that  lead  to  Can- 
ada, we  want  to  see  the  Hatchet,  that  we 
may  take  it  up. 

Upon  which  his  Excellency  threw  down  a 
Hanger,  which  the  Speaker  took  up  and  be- 
gan the  War  Dance,  and  several  others  danced 
the  same  aftar  him. 

After  which  they  desired  his  Excellency 
to  take  Care  of  them,  as  he  had  promised. 

His  Excellency  returned  them  Thanks  for 
their  so  readily  taking  up  the  Hatchet;  he 
said,  that  he  would  presently  set  the  War- 
Kettle  over  the  Fire,  and  provide  them  with 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

every  Thing  necessary  for  the  War.  His 
Excellency  gave  them  a  handsome  Present  in 
publick  for  their  Nations  in  general,  and  pri- 
vate Presents  to  their  principal  Sachems ;  one 
of  which  promised,  that  after  his  return 
Home,  he  would  go  round  all  the  Indian  Set- 
tlements, to  invite  them  into  the  War  against 
the  French,  and  their  Indians ;  and  that  he 
did  not  doubt  to  be  able  to  bring  six  hundred 
Men  from  the  Indian  Settlements  on  the  Sus- 
quehannah  River  and  its  Branches,  to  march 
at  any  time,  and  to  any  Place,  his  Excellency 
should  appoint,  in  order  to  join  the  Forces 
intended  against  Canada ;  in  the  mean  Time 
they  would  cause  a  Party  of  their  Men  to  go- 
out  with  his  Men  to  scour  the  Woods,  and 
clear  them  of  the  French  sculking  Indians. 

About  this  Time,  a  Serjeant  of  Capt.  Liv- 
ingston's Company  was  surprized  and  killed 
by  a  sculking  Party  of  French  Indians :  In  a 
few  Minutes  after  the  Account  of  this  came 
to  his  Excellency,  who  happened  to  be  dining 
at  that  Time  in  Capt.  Wrexall's  Tent,  four- 
teen of  the  Susquehannah  Indians  were  ob- 
served running  past  the  Tent,  in  order  to  cross 
the  River,  and  meet  the  French  Indians; 
which  his  Excellency  observing,  and  being 
apprehensive  that  they  might  meet  with  some 
of  the  Parties  of  the  new  Levies  that  were 
gone  out  for  the  same  Purpose,  and  that  they 
might  be  in  Danger  of  being  attacked  through 
253 


THE  .HISTORY  OF  THE 

Mistake;  he  ask'd  if  any  of  the  Guard  which 
then  attended,  would  voluntarily  go  along 
with  the  Indians?  Two  Men  offered  them- 
selves, who  went  with  one  who  understood 
the  Indian  Language,  in  order  to  prevent. 
Mistakes.  Happy  it  was  that  this  Precau- 
tion was  taken;  for  Capt.  Fanning  with  a 
great  Part  Of  his  Company,  having  gone  out 
with  the  same  Intention  of  intercepting  the 
Trench  Indians,  he  discovered  this  Party  of 
our  Indians,  and  taking  them  to  be  French 
Indians,  he  kept  his  Men  under  the  Cover  of 
some  Bushes,  with  their  Arms  ready  to  fire, 
expecting  the  nearer  Approach  of  the  In- 
dians ;  when  one  of  the  Christians  who  were 
with  them,  observing  Capt.  Fanning' s  Men, 
called  out,  and  came  up  to  Capt.  Fanning 
when  his  Men  were  ready  to  fire.  None  of 
the  Parties  that  went  out  were  able  to  dis- 
cover any  of  the  Enemy. 

His  Excellency  afterwards  sent  out  sixteen 
of  these  Indians,  and  cloathed  them  for  that 
Purpose,  together  with  about  sixty  Men  de- 
tached from  the  Companies  levied  in  the 
County  of  Albany,  in  order  to  scour  the 
Woods,  and  to  advance  as  far  as  the  Lakes 
to  gain  Intelligence,  by  taking  Prisoners  or 
otherwise.  While  this  Party  was  out,  some 
of  the  Indians  fell  sick,  and  the  others  being 
apprehensive  of  the  same  Misfortune,  they 
return' d,  after  having  been  but  a  few  Days 
254 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

in  the  Woods.  His  Excellency  then  per- 
ceiving the  Uneasiness  the  Indians  were 
under  from  the  Apprehensions  of  Sickness, 
found  it  necessary  to  dismiss  them  all,  on 
their  Promise  to  return,  whenever  his  Excel- 
lency should  order,  with  all  the  Force  they 
shall  be  able  to  collect ;  and  which,  they  said, 
as  before  observed,  might  amount  to  six  hun- 
dred Men.  The  Number  of  Indians  that  came 
at  this  Time  from  the  Susquehannah  River, 
consisted  only  of  about  sixty  fighting  Men, 
besides  old  Men,  Women,  and  Children: 
More  had  come  near  to  Albany,  but  having 
there  heard  of  the  Small-Pox  and  Sickness 
that  was  at  Albany,  and  that  many  of  the 
Six  Nations  had  catched  the  Infection,  and 
several  of  them  were  dead,  they  returned 
back. 

After  the  Six  Nations  left  Albany,  many 
of  them  were  taken  sick  on  their  Way  Home, 
before  they  reached  the  Mohawk  Castles,  and 
a  considerable  Number  of  the  briskest  young 
Men  of  the  Mohawks  died.  This  retarded 
the  Execution  of  the  Order  given  to  Mr. 
Johnson,  to  send  out  Parties  to  harrass  the 
French  Settlements  in  Canada,  though  he 
used  all  the  Means  in  his  Power  to  effect  it. 
While  he  was  pressing  them  to  this  Purpose, 
one  of  the  Sachems  who  had  promised  to 
head  a  Party  from  the  Canajohary  Castle, 
said,  You  seem  to  think  that  we  are  Brutes, 
255 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
l 

that  we  have  no  Sense  of  the  Loss  of  oui 
dearest  Relations,  and  some  of  them  the 
bravest  Men  we  had  in  our  Nation:  You 
must  allow  us  Time  to  bewail  our  Mis- 
fortune. 

About  ten  Days  before  his  Excellency  left 
Albany,  a  Party  of  upwards  of  seventy  Men, 
consisting  of  some  of  each  Nation,  went 
against  Canada:  Some  Christians  were  of 
the  Party  to  assist  and  direct,  and  to  be  Wit- 
nesses of  the  Behaviour  of  the  Indians.  They 
were  to  avoid  all  the  Lakes,  and  the  usual 
Roads  and  Passes  to  Canada,  and  were  to  go 
thro'  the  Woods  over  Mountains,  that  are 
seldom  passed,  to  prevent  the  Enemies  dis- 
covering them :  But  after  these  had  been  out, 
Capt.  Butler's  Son,  to  whom  the  chief  Direc- 
tion of  this  Party  was  committed,  was  taken 
ill  of  the  Small-Pox,  and  five  of  the  Indians 
were  obliged  to  return  to  carry  him  Home. 
Another  small  Party  was  sent  out  to  take 
Prisoners,  and  gain  Intelligence  at  Crown- 
Point.  At  the  writing  of  this,  it  is  not  known 
what  Success  they  have  had. 

When  the  Six  Nations  had  come  as  far  as 
the  lower  Mohawk  Castle,  in  their  return 
Home,  they  were  met  by  about  six  Men  of 
their  own  Nations,  who  delivered  a  Message 
from  Canada,  which  had  been  brought  by  the 
Indian  who  was  taken  by  the  French  at 
Crown  Point,  and  carried  to  Canada.  The 
256 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Message  was  interpreted  in  the  following 
Words :  "  The  Governor  of  Canada  had  called 
the  Cahnuaga  Indians  to  him,  and  then  com- 
plained to  them,  that  some  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, his  Children,  had  killed  some  of  his 
People :  You  all  know,  he  said,  that  I  am  not 
hasty  or  passionate,  but  will  rather  bear  a 
great  deal  than  shew  Resentment,  wherefore 
I  am  resolved  to  pass  this  over ;  but  in  the 
mean  Time  I  must  desire  you  to  go  among 
the  Six  Nations,  to  find  oat  the  Reason  of 
this  Proceeding,  and  to  tell  them,  that  if  any 
Thing  like  it  happen  again,  I  will  make  them 
smart:  You  may  nevertheless  assure  my 
Children  *  of  the  Six  Nations,  that  I  love  and 
esteem  them  equally  with  the  Cahnuagas,  or 
Shawendadies,t  being  of  the  same  Blood. 
And  to  convince  them  of  my  Love,  I  now 
send  back  to  them  one  of  their  People  that 
was  taken  at  Crown  Point,  without  eating  his 
Flesh.  And  now  Cahnuagas,  my  Children,  I 
would  not  have  you  spill  any  more  Blood 
from  Albany  upwards,  for  I  begin  to  pity 
their  Weakness ;  but  turn  your  Arms  towards 
New-England,  against  your  most  inveterate 

*  The  Governor  of  Canada  call9  the  Six  Nations, 
(and  all  the  Indian  Nations  depending  on  him)  Chil- 
dren, as  the  Governor  of  New-York  calls  them 
Brethren. 

f  Another  Settlement  of  Deserters  from  the  Six 
Nations,  and  dwelling  near  Montreal. 
Vol.  II.— 17  257 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Enemies,  there  is  the  Place  for  you  to  gain 
Honour  now." 

The  Cahnuagas  gave  the  following  Answer 
to  the  Governor  of  Canada :  Father,  You  are 
in  the  wrong,  to  desire  us  to  go  among  the 
Six  Nations  for  Intelligence,  or  with  Men- 
aces ;  for  such  will  only  stir  them  up,  and 
bring  them  and  all  their  Allies  (who  are  very 
numerous)  upon  you,  to  destroy  you  at  once. 
We  know  they  are  not  to  be  bullied  by  your 
Words  or  ours,  wherefore,  Father,  we  must 
leave  you  to  go  through  this  Work  by  your- 
self. 

After  having  as  above,  related  what  had 
passed  between  them  and  the  Governor  of 
•Canada,  they  sent  the  following  Message 
from  themselves. 

Brethren  of  the  Six  Nations,  "  We  hear  the 
Governor  of  New-lTork  has  invited  you  to 
meet  him ;  we  intreat  you  not  to  mind  any 
Thing  he  shall  say,  in  order  to  set  you 
against  us ;  for  if  you  do,  you,  as  well  as  we, 
must  all  die.  Wherefore,  Brethren,  we  con- 
jure you  by  all  the  Ties  of  Friendship  subsist- 
ing between  us,  to  inform  us  of  any  Design 
that  is  plotting  against  us ;  and  that  when 
any  such  Thing  shall  be  discovered,  you  will 
send  an  Express  to  Cadarackui,*  where  our 
Fire  always  burns. 

*A  French  Fort  opposite  to  Oswego,  and  the  East 
End  of  Cadarackui  Lake,  or  Lake  Frontenac. 
258 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

"Brethren,  We  shall  be  glad  to  see  you 
next  Spring  at  Cahnuaga,  to  hold  a  Council 
together,  where  you  shall  be  as  6afe  and  wel- 
come as  ever. 

"Brethren,  The  Governor  our  Father, 
being  informed,  that  your  Governor  is  raising 
Men  to  come  against  Canada,  desires  us  to 
tell  you,  that  he  has  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  Men  at  Crown  Point,  ready  to  give 
them  Battle ;  in  which  Number,  the  Men  of 
eight  Castles  of  the  Utawawas  are  included. 

"  Brethren,  Be  not  angry  at  our  destroying 
Saraghtoga  last  Fall;  Col.  Schuyler  dar'd 
us  to  it,  by  saying  he  wished  to  see  a  French 
Army  there:  We  gratified  him  in  his  Wish." 

A  Cahnuaga  Indian  was  sent  along  with 
the  Prisoner  that  was  restored ;  but  when  ha 
came  near  the  Settlements  of  the  Six  Nations, 
his  heart  fail'd  him,  and  he  sent  the  Prisoner 
forward  by  himself  with  the  Message. 

The  Eeadiness  with  which  the  Six  Nations 
communicated  this  Message,  and  the  slight 
they  in  all  Appearance  put  upon  it,  is  some- 
Proof  of  their  Sincerity  in  the  Promises  they 
made  to  his  Excellency;  neither  from  any 
Thing  which  has  happened  can  it  be  shewn, 
that  they  were  not  sincere.  On  the  contrary, 
it  appears  by  Mr.  Johnson's  Letter  to  his 
Excellency  of  the  21st  of  October,  that  sev- 
eral Parties  are  now  out  against  the  Freuch; 
and  that  Mr.  Johnson  having  received 
259 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Orders  from  Ctol.  Roberts,  to  send  as  many 
Indians  as  possible  to  join  the  Army,  all  the 
Mohawks,  even  their  oldest  Men,  were  fitted 
out  and  ready ;  and  having  sent  to  the  upper 
Castles  at  the  same  Time,  they  appeared  so 
hearty,  that  there  would  not  have  remained 
above  three  old  Men  in  any  of  the  next  Cas- 
tles :  And  that  Col.  Roberts  afterwards  con- 
tradicting these  Orders,  they  had  appeared 
very  uneasy  on  their  being  stopt.  It  was  not 
expected  that  they  would  enter  into  the  War 
without  us,  or  by  themselves,  neither  are  they 
a  People  of  so  little  Thought,  as  to  give  any 
Reason  to  expect  it  from  them. 

When  the  Companies  raised  in  Pensylvania 
arrived  at  Albany,  his  Excellency  was  in- 
formed by  their  Captains,  that  Mr.  Thomas, 
Governor  of  that  Province,  had  sent  Conrad 
Weiser  their  publick  Interpreter,  among  the 
Susquehannah  Indians;  and  that  they  ex- 
pected his  Arrival  at  this  Place  in  a  little 
Time,  with  at  least  three  hundred  Indians. 
The  Treaties  with  the  Indians,  which  Mr. 
Thomas  has  published,  gave  great  Hopes  of 
the  Success  that  Interpreter  would  have ;  and 
thereby  increased  the  Disappointment,  when 
Mr.  Weiser  arrived  a  few  Days  before  his 
Excellency  left  Albany,  and  did  not  bring  one 
Indian  with  him. 

His  Excellency  Governor  Clinton  had  per- 
haps more  Difficulties  to  struggle  with  on  this 
260 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Occasion,  than  any  Governor  of  New-York 
had  at  any  Time :  The  Six  Nations  had  on 
several  Occasions  given  Grounds  of  Mistrust  j 
the  Governor  of  Canada  was  attempting  all 
the  Means  in  his  Power  to  divert  their  Affec- 
tions from  us ;  the  People  of  the  County  of 
Albany  had  for  some  Time  past,  entertained 
a  Dissatisfaction  in  the  Conduct  of  the  Com- 
missioners for  Indian  Affairs ;  the  Commis- 
sioners themselves  were  divided  in  their  Sen- 
timents, and  several  of  them  refused  to  attend 
their  Meetings;  and  they  confessed  to  his 
Excellency,  that  they  had  lost  all  Influence 
on  the  Indians ;  Mr.  Gooch  having  declined 
the  Command  of  the  Forces  at  Albany,  his 
Excellency  was  forced  likewise  to  undertake 
a  new  and  great  Care,  which  he  in  no  Manner 
expected  when  he  left  the  City  of  New- York, 
and  which  from  many  incidents,  was  attended 
with  many  Difficulties.  If  these  Things  be 
duly  considered,  and  the  Dangers  his  Person 
was  in  from  the  Infection  of  two  different 
Diseases,  which  at  that  Time  raged  in  the 
City  of  Albany,  of  which  great  Numbers 
died  during  his  Residence  there  of  near  three 
Months ;  none  can  doubt  of  his  hearty  Zeal 
for  the  Success  of  an  Affair,  in  which  the 
Safety  and  Prosperity  of  all  the  Colonies  in 
North  America,  were  immediately  concerned. 
But  as  every  one  may  not  be  sufficiently 
apprized  of  what  Consequence  the  Six  Na- 
261 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

tions  being  hearty,  is  to  the  Interest  of  Great- 
Britain,  it  may  be  proper  to  observe,  That 
though  a  Number  of  Indians  to  march  with 
the  Army,  which  was  intended  to  attack 
Canada,  would  be  of  great  Use  in  discovering 
and  defeating  the  Ambushes  of  the  Enemy's 
Indians,  while  they  were  every  Day  to  be 
guarded  against  by  the  Forces  which  were  to 
march  by  Land,  and  would  by  their  Incur- 
sions into  the  Enemy's  Country,  terribly  ha- 
rass them,  and  keep  them  from  joining  their 
Forces  into  any  great  Body  to  oppose  the 
Design ;  these  are  not  the  most  considerable 
Advantages  might  be  gained  from  the  Affec- 
tion of  the  Six  Nations  at  this  Time,  or  any 
Time  of  War ;  for  if  the  inland  Extent  of  the 
Colonies  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Georgia  be 
considered,  and  at  the  same  Time  the  numer- 
ous Indian  Nations  on  the  Continent  of 
America,  who  may  by  the  Artifices  of  the 
French  be  induced  to  make  Incursions  every 
where ;  and  the  cruel  Methods  by  which  the 
Indians  make  Incursions  in  small  Parties, 
from  the  vast  Forest  which  every  where 
covers  the  Continent,  and  which  in  many 
Places  is  impenetrable ;  it  must  evidently  ap- 
pear, that  though  the  English  Colonies  be  of 
much  superior  Force  in  Numbers  of  Men,  yet 
their  Number  would  not  be  sufficient  to  pro- 
tect their  Frontiers  from  the  Incursions  of 
the  Indians  in  every  Place :  And,  that  while 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

their  Forces  must  in  this  Case  be  divided  and 
scattered  all  over  their  Frontiers,  it  may  be 
in  the  Power  of  the  French  in  Canada,  to  in- 
vade with  Success  any  Part  of  the  English 
Colonies.  On  the  other  Hand,  if  a  proper 
Attempt  were  to  be  made  by  the  Northern 
Colonies  alone,  without  the  Assistance  of 
their  Mother  Country,  but  with  the  Assist- 
ance of  the  Indians,  it  would  in  all  Appear- 
ance be  sufficient  to  reduce  Canada;  for  if 
the  Indian  Nations  can  be  persuaded  to  join 
heartily,  (as  from  what  is  above  related  it 
seems  probable  they  may)  it  will  be  impossi- 
ble for  the  Inhabitants  of  Canada  to  defend 
themselves  from  the  Incursions  of  these 
numerous  Indian  Nations,  and  from  a  Body 
of  regular  Troops  at  the  same  Time.  As  the 
French  are  very  sensible  of  these  Advantages 
to  be  gain'd  from  the  Friendship  of  the 
Indian  Nations,  they  neglect  no  Means  in 
their  Power  to  procure  them :  And  it  is  to 
be  hoped,  that  the  Northern  Colonies  will  be 
no  less  assiduous  in  a  Matter  on  which  their 
Well-being  at  least  depends. 

Some  People  wish  that  the  Indians  may 
remain  neuter,  and  think  it  advise  able  to 
pursue  Measures  for  that  Purpose,  by  which 
many  horrid  Barbarities  would  be  prevented. 
No  doubt  this  is  to  be  wished ;  but  can  the 
English  Colonies  by  any  Means  be  assured, 
that  the  French  will  be  sincere  in  preserving 
263 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

such  a  Neutrality?  And  if  they  be  not  sin- 
cere, we  shall  more  certainly  expose  ourselves 
to  all  these  Calamities,  than  we  are  now  by 
Indians  being  engaged  on  both  Sides.  The 
Six  Nations  are  by  their  natural  Inclinations, 
disposed  to  War-like  Enterprizes :  They  never 
have  been  at  Peace  with  all  their  Neighbours, 
since  they  were  known  to  Christians.  The 
Reputation  they  have  gained  among  all  the 
Indian  Nations  in  North  America  gives  them 
an  Influence  in  the  Councils  of  every  Nation. 
It  may  then  be  easy  for  the  French  to  turn 
this  Disposition  to  War  in  the  Six  Nations, 
against  us,  and  by  their  Influence  draw  all 
the  Indian  Nations  in  North  America  upon 
us.  The  Genius  of  the  Six  Nations  will  not 
suffer  them  to  remain  inactive,  while  their 
Neighbours  are  at  War. 

In  the  last  Place,  it  may  not  be  improper 
to  observe  at  this  Time,  that  though  the  Col- 
onies to  the  Southward  (and  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Parts  of  the  Northern  Colonies,  which 
are  less  exposed  to  the  Incursions  of  Indians) 
think  themselves  little  concerned  in  Inter- 
est, or  in  the  Consequences  of  the  present 
War;  yet  if  they  would  consider  that  the 
Northern  Colonies  are  really  their  Frontiers, 
and  that  they  defend  the  others  from  all  the 
Calamities  of  a  most  barbarous  War;  the 
Southern  Colonies  must  think  that  any  Con- 
tribution of  Men  and  Money,  which  is  ex- 
264 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

pected  from  them,  is  an  easy  Purchase  of  the 
Freedom  from  such  Calamities,  to  which  their 
Brethren  are  subjected ;  and  that  while  they 
can  follow  their  Occupations  at  Ease,  they 
are  much  better  enabled  to  support  the  Ex- 
pence  of  a  War  than  the  Northern  Colonies 
are,  where  the  Inhabitants  are  every  Day  in 
Danger  of  their  Lives  from  a  cruel  Enemy, 
while  at  their  daily  and  innocent  Labours. 
If  the  Southern  Colonies  neglect  to  keep  the 
War  at  a  Distance  from  them,  they  may  at 
an  improper  Time,  become  sensible  of  the 
Evils  their  Brethren  suffer,  and  of  their  own 
Folly  at  the  same  Time. 

New- York,  Dec.  2,  1746. 
The  Party  of  seventy  Indians  and  Whites 
mentioned  in  this  Treaty,  did  not  go  out  to- 
gether as  was  at  first  intended,  Sickness  and 
other  Incidents  made  it  necessary  to  alter  the 
Measures  at  first  proposed.  One  Party  of 
thirty  Indians  and  ten  Whites  went  by  them- 
selves. These  fell  upon  a  French  Settlement 
on  the  North-side  of  St.  Lawrence  River, 
about  10  Leagues  above  Montreal,  and 
brought  away  eight  French  Prisoners,  one  of 
them  a  Captain  of  Militia,  and  four  Scalps. 
Another  Party  of  nine  Indians  went  to  the 
Cahnuagas,  under  Pretence  of  continuing  the 
Neutrality  with  them,  they  were  introduced 
to  the  Governor  of  Montreal  under  the  same 
265 


THE  ^HISTORY  OF  THE 

Pretence,  who  made  them  Presents:  Their 
Design  was  to  gain  what  Intelligence  they 
could,  and  after  they  had  done  this,  they 
acted  their  Part  so  well,  that  they  received 
several  Letters,  one  from  the  Governor  of 
Montreal,  and  others  from  considerable  Per- 
sons to  the  Commandant  of  Fort  St.  Frederic 
at  Crown  Point.  In  their  Way  thither,  by 
which  they  were  to  return  Home,  they  sur- 
prized some  French  in  a  small  Fort,  killed 
five,  and  brought  away  one  Prisoner  and  one 
Scalp.  They  brought  the  French  Prisoner 
and  the  Letters  to  the  commanding  Officer  at 
Albany,  and  informed  him  of  what  they  had 
seen  and  heard  at  Montreal. 


26* 


A 
COLLECTION 

OF 

CHARTERS 

AND  OTHER  PUBLICK  ACTS, 
RELATING    TO    THE 

Province    of  PENSTLVANIA 

VIZ. 

I.  The   ROYAL    CHARTER    to    WILLIAM 

PENN,  Esq ; 

II.  The  first  FRAME  of  Government,  granted  in 

England,  in  1682. 

III.  LAWS  agreed  upon  in  England. 

IV.  Certain  CONDITIONS  or  CONCESSIONS. 

V.  The   ACT   of  SETTLEMENT,  made  at 

Chester,  1682. 

VI.  The  second  FRAME  of  Government,  granted 
1683. 

VII.  The  CHARTER  of  the  CITY  of  PHIL  A- 
DELPHI  A,  granted  October  25,  1701. 

VIII.  The  New  CHARTER  of  PRIVILEGES 
to  the  Province,  granted  October  28,  1 70 1. 

367 


The  CHAETER  of  Charles  II.  of  England, 
Scotland,  France  and  Ireland,  King,  De- 
fender of  the  Faith,  &c. 

Unto  William  Penn,  Proprietary  and  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania. 

CHARLES,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of 
England,  Scotland,  France,  and  Ire- 
land, Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  To  all  to 
whom  these  Presents  shall  come,  Greeting. 
WHEREAS  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Sub- 
ject William  Penn,  Esq ;  Son  and  Heir  of  Sir 
William  Penn  deceased,  (out  of  a  commend- 
able Desire  to  enlarge  our  English  Empire, 
and  promote  such  useful  Commodities  as  may 
be  of  Benefit  to  us  and  our  Dominions,  as 
also  to  reduce  the  savage  Natives  by  gentle 
and  just  Manners,  to  the  love  of  civil  Society 
and  the  Christian  Religion)  hath  humbly  be- 
sought Leave  of  us,  to  transport  an  ample 
Colony  unto  a  certain  Country  herein  after 
described,  in  the  Parts  of  America,  not  yet 
cultivated  and  planted ;  and  hath  likewise  so 
humbly  besought  our  Royal  Majesty  to  give, 
grant,  and  confirm  all  the  said  Country,  with 
certain  Privileges  and  Jurisdictions,  requi- 
site for  the  good  Government  and  Safety  of 
the  said  Country  and  Colony,  to  him  and  his 
Heirs  for  ever. 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 


SECT.    I. 

KNOW  YE  THEREFORE,  That  we 
(favouring  the  Petition  and  gcod  Purpose  of 
the  said  William  Penn,  and  having  Regard 
to  the  Memory  and  Merits  of  his  late  Father 
in  divers  Services,  and  particularly  to  his 
Conduct,  Courage,  and  Discretion  under  our 
dearest  Brother  JAMES  Duke  of  York,  in 
that  signal  Battle  and  Victory  fought  and 
obtained  against  the  Dutch  Fleet,  commanded 
by  the  Heer  Van  Opdam,  in  the  Year  1665 : 
In  Consideration  thereof,  of  our  special 
Grace,  certain  Knowledge,  and  meer  Motion) 
have  given  and  granted,  and  by  this  our  pres- 
ent Charter,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
do  give  and  grant  unto  the  said  William 
Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  all  that  Tract 
or  Part  of  Land  in  America,  with  the  Islands 
therein  contained,  as  the  same  is  bounded 
on  the  East  by  Delawar  River,  from  twelve 
Miles  Distance  Northwards  of  Newcastle 
Town  unto  the  three  and  fortieth  Degree  of 
Northern  Latitude,  if  the  said  River  doth 
extend  so  far  Northward:  But  if  the  said 
River  shall  not  extend  so  far  Northward, 
then  by  the  said  River  so  far  as  it  doth  ex- 
tend, and  from  the  Head  of  the  said  River 
the  Eastern  Bounds  are  to  be  determined  by 
a  Meridian  Line,  to  be  drawn  from  the  Head 
270 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

of  the  said  River,  unto  the  said  forty-third 
Degree.  The  said  Land  to  extend  Westward 
five  Degrees  in  Longitude,  to  be  computed 
from  the  said  Eastern  Bounds ;  and  the  said 
Lands  to  be  bounded  on  the  North  by  the 
Beginning  of  the  three  and  fortieth  Degree 
of  Northern  Latitude,  and  on  the  South  by  a 
Circle  drawn  at  twelve  Miles  Distance  from 
Newcastle  Northward,  and  Westward  unto 
the  beginning  of  the  fortieth  Degree  of 
Northern  Latitude,  and  then  by  a  strait  Line 
Westwards  to  the  Limits  of  Longitude  above- 
mentioned. 

SECT.    II. 

WE  do  also  give  and  grant  unto  the  said 
William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  the 
free  and  undisturbed  Use  and  Continuance 
in,  and  Passage  unto,  and  out  of  all  and  sin- 
gular Ports,  Harbours,  Bays,  Waters,  Rivers, 
Isles,  and  Inlets,  belonging  unto,  or  leading 
to  and  from  the  Country  or  Islands  aforesaid, 
and  all  the  Soils,  Lands,  Fields,  Woods, 
Underwoods,  Mountains,  Hills,  Fenns,  Isles, 
Lakes,  Rivers,  Waters,  Rivulets,  Bays,  and 
Inlets,  situated  or  being  within,  or  belonging 
to  the  Limits  or  Bounds  aforesaid,  together 
with  the  Fishing  of  all  Sorts  of  Fish,  Whales, 
Sturgeon,  and  all  royal  and  other  Fishes,  in 
the  Seas,  Bays,  Inlets,  Waters,  or  Rivers 
within  the  Premisses,  and  all  the  Fish  there- 
271 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

in  taken ;  and  also  all  Veins,  Mines,  Minerals, 
and  Quarries,  as  well  discovered  as  not  dis- 
covered, of  Gold,  Silver,  Gemins,  and  pre- 
cious Stones,  and  all  other  whatsoever,  be  it 
Stones,  Metals,  or  of  any  other  Thing  of 
Matter  whatsoever,  found  or  to  be  found 
within  the  Country,  Isles,  or  Limits  afore- 
said. 

SECT.    III. 

AND  him,  the  said  William  Penn,  his 
Heirs  and  Assigns,  we  do  by  this  our  Eoyal 
Charter,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
make,  create,  and  constitute,  the  true  and 
absolute  Proprietary  of  the  Country  aforesaid, 
and  of  all  other  the  Premisses :  Saving  al- 
ways to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  the 
Faith  and  Allegiance  of  the  said  William 
Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  and  of  all  other 
Proprietaries,  Tenants,  and  Inhabitants,  that 
are  or  shall  be  within  the  Territories  and 
Precincts  aforesaid;  and  saving  also,  unto 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  the  Sovereignty 
of  the  aforesaid  Country,  to  have,  hold,  pos- 
sess, and  enjoy  the  said  Tract  of  Land,  Coun- 
try, Isles,  Inlets,  and  ~ther  the  Premisses, 
unto  the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  to  the  only  proper  Use  and  Behoof 
of  the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and  As- 
signs, for  ever,  to  be  holden  of  us,  our  Heirs 
and  Successors,  Kings  of  England,  as  of  our 
272 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Castle  of  Windsor  in  our  County  of  Berks, 
in  free  and  common  Soccage,  by  Fealty  only 
for  all  Services,  and  not  in  Capite  or  by 
Knights  Service :  Yielding  and  paying  there- 
fore to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  two 
Beaver-skins,  to  be  delivered  at  our  Castle  of 
Windsor  on  the  first  Day  of  January  in  every 
Year ;  and  also  the  fifth  Part  of  all  Gold  and 
Silver  Oar,  which  shall  from  Time  to  Time 
happen  to  be  found  within  the  Limits  afore- 
said, clear  of  all  Charges.  And  of  our  fur- 
ther Grace,  certain  Knowledge,  and  meer 
Motion,  we  have  thought  fit  to  erect,  and  we 
do  hereby  erect  the  aforesaid  Country  and 
Islands  into  a  Province  and  Seignorie,  and 
do  call  it  Pensylvania,  and  so  from  hence- 
forth will  have  it  called. 

SECT.    IV. 

AND  forasmuch  as  we  have  hereby  made 
and  ordained  the  aforesaid  William  Penn,  his 
Heirs  and  Assigns,  the  true  and  absolute 
Proprietaries  of  all  the  Lands  and  Dominions 
aforesaid,  KNOW  YE  THEREFORE,  That 
we  (reposing  special  Trust  and  Confidence  in 
the  Fidelity,  Wisdom,  Justice,  and  provident 
Circumspection  of  the  said  William  Penn)  for 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  do  grant  free, 
full,  and  absolute  Power  (by  Virtue  of  these 
Presents)  to  him  and  his  Heirs,  to  his  and 
Vol.  H.— 18  273 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

their  Deputies,  and  Lieutenants  for  the  good 
and  happy  Government  of  the  said  Country, 
to  ordain,  make,  and  enact,  and  under  his 
and  their  Seals  to  publish  any  Laws  what- 
soever, for  the  raising  of  Money  for  publick 
Uses  of  the  said  Province,  or  for  any  other 
End,  appertaining  either  unto  the  publick 
State,  Peace,  or  Safety  of  the  said  Country, 
or  unto  the  private  Utility  of  particular  Per- 
sons, according  unto  their  best  Discretion,  by 
and  with  the  Advice,  Assent,  and  Approba- 
tion of  the  Freemen  of  the  said  Country,  or 
the  greater  Part  of  them,  or  of  their  Dele- 
gates or  Deputies,  whom  for  the  enacting  of 
the  said  Laws,  when,  and  as  often  as  Need 
shall  require,  we  will  that  the  said  William 
Perm  and  his  Heirs,  shall  assemble  in  such 
Sort  and  Form,  as  to  him  and  them  shall 
seem  best  and,  the  same  Laws  duly  to  exe- 
cute, unto  and  upon  all  People  within  the 
said  Country  and  Limits  thereof. 

SECT.    V. 

AND  we  do  likewise  give  and  grant  unto 
the  said  William  Penn,  and  to  his  Heirs,  and 
their  Deputies  and  Lieutenants  full  Power 
and  Authority,  to  appoint  and  establish  any 
Judges  and  Justices,  Magistrates  and  other 
Officers  whatsoever,  for  what  Causes  soever, 
(for  the  Probates  of  Wills,  and  for  the  grant- 
274 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ing  ttf  Administrations  within  the  Precincts 
aforesaid)  and  with  what  Power  soever,  and 
in  such  Form,  as  to  the  said  William  Penn 
or  his  Heirs,  shall  seem  most  convenient: 
Also  to  remit,  release,  pardon,  and  abolish 
(whether  before  Judgment  or  after)  all  Crimes 
and  Offences  whatsoever,  committed  within 
the  said  Country,  against  the  said  Laws, 
(Treason  and  wilful  and  malicious  Murder 
only  excepted,  and  in  those  Cases  to  grant 
Reprieves,  until  our  Pleasure  may  be  known 
therein)  and  to  do  all  and  every  other  Thing 
and  Things,  which  unto  the  compleat  Estab- 
lishment of  Justice  unto  Courts  and  Tribu- 
nals, Forms  of  Judicature,  and  Manner  of 
Proceedings  do  belong,  although  in  these 
Presents  express  Mention  be  not  made  there- 
of; and  by  Judges  by  them  delegated,  to 
award  Process,  hold  Pleas,  and  determine  in 
all  the  said  Courts  and  Tribunals  all  Actions, 
Suits,  and  Causes  whatsoever,  as  well  crimi- 
nal as  civil,  personal,  real,  and  mixt ;  which 
Laws  so,  as  aforesaid,  to  be  published,  our 
Pleasure  is,  and  so  we  enjoin,  require,  and 
command,  shall  be  most  absolute  and  availa- 
ble in  Law;  and  that  all  the  Liege  People 
and  Subjects  of  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
do  observe  and  keep  the  same  inviolably  in 
those  Parts,  so  far  as  they  concern  them, 
under  the  Pain  therein  expressed,  or  to  be 
expressed.  Provided  nevertheless,  That  the 
275 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


same  Laws  be  consonant  to  Reason,  and 
not  repugnant  or  contrary,  but  (as  near  as 
conveniently  may  be)  agreeable  to  the  Laws 
and  Statutes,  and  Eights  of  this  our  King- 
dom of  England,  and  saving  and  reserving 
to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  the  receiv- 
ing, hearing,  and  determining  of  the  Appeal 
and  Appeals  of  all  or  any  Person  or  Persons, 
of,  in,  or  belonging  to  the  Territories  afore- 
said, or  touching  any  Judgment  to  be  there 
made  or  given. 

SECT.    VI. 

AND  forasmuch  as  in  the  Government  of 
so  great  a  Country,  sudden  Accidents  do  often 
happen,  whereunto  it  will  be  necessary  to 
apply  Eemedy  before  the  Freeholders  of  the 
said  Province,  or  their  Delegates  or  Deputies 
can  be  assembled  to  the  making  of  Laws; 
neither  will  it  be  convenient  that  instantly 
upon  every  such  emergent  Occasion,  so  great 
a  Multitude  should  be  called  together :  There- 
fore (for  the  better  Government  of  the  said 
Country)  we  will,  and  ordain,  and  by  these 
Presents,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
do  grant  unto  the  said  William  Penn  and  his 
Heirs,  by  themselves  or  by  their  Magistrates 
and  Officers,  in  that  P>ehalf  duly  to  be  or- 
dained as  aforesaid,  to  make  and  constitute 
fit  and  wholesome  Ordinances,  from  Time  to 
276 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Time,  within  the  said  Country  to  be  kept  and 
observed,  as  well  for  the  Preservation  of  the 
Peace,  as  for  the  better  Government  of  the 
People  there  inhabiting;  and  publickly  to 
notify  the  same  to  all  Persons,  whom  the 
same  doth  or  may  any  Ways  concern.  Which 
Ordinances  our  Will  and  Pleasure  is,  shall  be 
observed  inviolably  within  the  said  Province, 
under  the  Pains  therein  to  be  expressed,  so 
as  the  said  Ordinances  be  consonant  to  Rea- 
son,  and  be  not  repugnant  nor  contrary,  but 
(so  far  as  conveniently  may  be)  agreeable  with 
the  Laws  of  our  Kingdom  of  England,  and 
so  as  the  said  Ordinances  be  not  extended  in 
any  Sort  to  bind,  change,  or  take  away  the 
Right  or  Interest  of  any  Person  or  Persons, 
for  or  in  their  Life,  Members,  Freehold, 
Goods,  or  Chatties.  And  our  farther  Will 
and  Pleasure  is,  That  the  Laws  for  regulating 
and  governing  of  Property  within  the  said 
Province,  as  well  for  the  Descent  and  Enjoy- 
ment of  Lands,  as  likewise  for  the  Enjoy- 
ment and  Succession  of  Goods  and  Chatties, 
and  likewise  as  to  Felonies,  shall  be  and  con- 
tinue the  same,  as  they  shall  be  for  the  Time 
being,  by  the  general  Course  of  the  Law  in 
our  Kingdom  of  England,  until  the  said  Laws 
shall  be  altered  by  the  said  William  Penn, 
his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  and  by  the  Freemen  of 
the  said  Province,  their  Delegates  or  Depu- 
ties, or  the  greater  Part  of  them. 
277 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


SECT.    VII. 

AND  to  the  End  that  the  said  William 
Perm,  or  his  Heirs,  or  other  the  Planters, 
Owners,  or  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Province, 
may  not  at  any  Time  hereafter  (by  Miscon- 
struction of  the  Power  aforesaid)  through  In- 
advertency or  Design,  depart  from  that  Faith 
and  due  Allegiance,  which  by  the  Laws  of 
this  our  Realm  of  England,  they  and  all  our 
Subjects,  in  our  Dominions  and  Territories, 
always  owe  to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
by  Colour  of  any  Extent  or  Largeness  of 
Powers  hereby  given,  or  pretended  to  be 
given,  or  by  Force  or  Colour  of  any  Laws 
hereafter  to  be  made  in  the  said  Province,  by 
Virtue  of  any  such  Powers;  OUR  farther 
Will  and  Pleasure  is,  That  a  Transcript  or 
Duplicate  of  all  Laws,  which  shall  be  so  as 
aforesaid  made  and  published  within  the  said 
Province,  shall  within  five  Years  after  the 
making  thereof,  be  transmitted,  and  deliv- 
ered to  the  Privy  Council,  for  the  Time  being 
of  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors :  And  if  any 
of  the  said  Laws  within  the  Space  of  six 
Months  after  that  they  shall  be  s©  trans- 
mitted and  delivered,  be  declared  by  us,  our 
Heirs  and  Successors,  in  our  or  their  Privy 
Council,  inconsistent  with  the  Sovereignty, 
or  lawful  Prerogative  of  us,  our  Heirs  or 
278 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Successors,  or  contrary  to  the  Faith  and  Alle- 
giance due  to  the  legal  Government  of  this 
Eealm,  from  the  said  William  Penn,  or  his 
Heirs,  or  of  the  Planters  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  said  Province,  and  that  thereupon  any  of 
the  said  Laws  shall  be  adjudged  and  de- 
clared to  be  void  by  us,  our  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors, under  our  or  their  Privy  Seal,  that 
then  and  from  thenceforth,  such  Laws,  con- 
cerning which  such  Judgment  and  Declara- 
tion shall  be  made,  shall  become  void :  Other- 
wise the  said  Laws  so  transmitted,  shall 
remain,  and  stand  in  full  Force,  according  to 
the  true  Intent  and  Meaning  thereof. 

SECT.    VIII. 

FURTHERMORE,  that  this  new  Colony 
may  the  more  happily  increase,  by  the  Mul- 
titude of  People  resorting  thither ;  Therefore 
we,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  do  give 
and  grant  by  these  Presents,  Power,  Licence, 
and  Liberty  unto  all  the  Liege  People  and 
Subjects,  both  present  and  future,  of  us,  our 
Heirs  and  Successors,  (excepting  those  who 
shall  be  especially  forbidden)  to  transport 
themselves  and  Families  unto  the  said  Coun- 
try, with  such  convenient  Shipping  as  by  the 
Laws  of  this  our  Kingdom  of  England  they 
ought  to  use,  and  with  fitting  Provision,  pay- 
ing only  the  Customs  therefore  due,  and  there 
279 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
i 

to  settle  themselves,  dwell  and  inhabit,  and 

plant,  for  the  publick,  and  their  own  private 

Advantage. 

SECT.    IX. 

AND  FURTHERMORE,  that  our  Sub- 
jects may  be  the  rather  encouraged  to  under- 
take this  Expedition  with  ready  and  chearful 
Minds,  KNOW  YE,  That  we,  of  our  special 
Grace,  certain  Knowledge,  and  mere  Motion, 
do  give  and  grant  by  virtue  of  these  Presents, 
as  well  unto  the  said  William  Penu,  and  his 
Heirs,  as  to  all  others,  who  shall  from  time 
to  time  repair  unto  the  said  Country,  with  a 
Purpose  to  inhabit  or  trade  with  the  Natives 
of  the  said  Country,  full  Licence  to  lade  and 
freight  in  any  Ports  whatsoever,  of  us,  our 
Heirs  and  Successors,  according  to  the  Laws 
made,  or  to  be  made  within  our  Kingdom  of 
England,  and  unto  the  said  Country,  by  them, 
their  Servants  or  Assigns,  to  transport  all 
and  singular  their  Goods,  Wares  and  Mer- 
chandizes, as  likewise  all  Sorts  of  Grain  what- 
soever, and  all  other  Things  whatsoever,  nec- 
essary for  Food  or  Clothing,  not  prohibited 
by  the  Laws  and  Statutes  of  our  Kingdom 
and  Dominions  to  be  carried  out  of  the  said 
Kingdom,  without  any  Let  or  Molestation  of 
us,  our  Heirs  or  Successors,  or  of  any  of  the 
Officers  of  us,  our  Heirs  or  Successors ;  sav- 
ing always  to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
280 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  legal  Impositions,  Customs,  or  other 
Duties  and  Payments,  for  the  said  Wares 
and  Merchandizes,  by  any  Law  or  Statute 
due,  or  to  be  due  to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors. 

SECT.    X. 

AND  we  do  further,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  give  and  grant  unto  the  said  Wil- 
liam Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  free  and 
absolute  Power,  to  divide  the  said  Country 
and  Islands  into  Towns,  Hundreds  and  Coun- 
ties, and  to  erect  and  incorporate  Towns  into 
Boroughs,  and  Boroughs  into  Cities,  and  to 
make  and  constitute  Fairs  and  Markets  there- 
in, with  all  other  convenient  Privileges  and 
Immunities,  according  to  the  Merits  of  the 
Inhabitants,  and  the  Fitness  of  the  Places, 
and  to  do  all  and  every  other  Thing  and 
Things  touching  the  Premises,  which  to  him 
or  them  shall  seem  meet  and  requisite ;  albeit 
they  be  such,  as  of  their  own  Nature  might 
otherwise  require  a  more  special  Command- 
ment and  Warrant,  than  in  these  Presents  is 
expressed. 

SECT.    XL 

WE  will  also,  and  by  these  Presents,  for 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  we  do  give  and 
grant  Licence  by  this  our  Charter,  unto  the 
said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns, 
and  to  all  the  Inhabitants  and  Dwellers  in 
281 


THE,  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  Province  aforesaid,  both  present  and  to 
come,  to  import  or  unlade,  by  themselves  or 
their  Servants,  Factors,  or  Assigns,  all  Mer- 
chandizes and  Goods  whatsoever,  that  shall 
arise  of  the  Fruits  and  Commodities  of  the* 
said  Province,  either  by  Land  or  Sea,  into  any 
of  the  Ports  of  us,  our  Heirs  or  Successors, 
in  our  Kingdom  of  England,  and  not  into  any 
other  Country  whatsoever :  And  we  give  him 
full  Power  to  dispose  of  the  said  Goods,  in 
the  said  Ports ;  and  if  need  be,  within  one 
Year  next  after  the  Unlading  of  the  same,  to 
lade  the  said  Merchandize  and  Goods  again 
into  the  same  or  other  Ships,  and  to  trans- 
port the  same  into  any  other  Countries,  either 
of  our  Dominions  or  foreign,  according  to 
Law;  provided  always,  that  they  pay  such 
Customs  and  Impositions,  Subsidies  and 
Duties  for  the  same,  to  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  as  the  rest  of  our  Subjects  of  our 
Kingdom  of  England,  for  the  Time  being, 
shall  be  bound  to  pay,  and  do  observe  the 
Acts  of  Navigation,  and  other  Laws  in  that 
Behalf  made. 

SECT.    XII. 

AND  FURTHERMORE,  of  our  ample 
and  special  Grace,  certain  Knowledge,  and 
mere  Motion,  we  do,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  grant  unto  the  said  William  Penn, 
his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  full  and  absolute 
282 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Power  and  Authority,  to  make,  erect,  and 
constitute,  within  the  said  Province,  and  the 
Isles  and  Inlets  aforesaid,  such  and  so  many 
Sea-ports,  Harbours,  Creeks,  Havens,  Keys, 
and  other  Places,  for  Discharging  and  Un- 
lading of  Goods  and  Merchandizes  out  of  the 
Ships,  Boats,  and  other  Vessels,  and  landing 
them  unto  such  and  so  many  Places,  and  with 
such  Rights,  Jurisdictions,  Liberties  and 
Privileges  unto  the  said  Ports  belonging,  as 
to  him  and  them  shall  seem  most  expedient ; 
and  that  all  and  singular  the  Ships,  Boats, 
and  other  Vessels,  which  shall  come  for  Mer- 
chandize and  Trade  into  the  said  Province, 
or  out  of  the  same,  shall  be  laden  or  unladen 
only  at  such  Ports  as  shall  be  created  and 
constituted  by  the  said  William  Penn,  his 
Heirs  or  Assigns,  (any  Use,  Custom,  or  Thing 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. )  Provided, 
that  the  said  William  Penn,  and  his  Heirs, 
and  the  Lieutenants  and  Governors  for  the 
Time  being,  shall  admit  and  receive  in,  and 
about  all  such  Havens,  Ports,  Creeks  and 
Keys,  all  Officers  and  their  Deputies,  who 
shall  from  Time  to  Time  be  appointed  for 
that  Purpose  by  the  Farmers  or  Commission- 
ers of  our  Customs  for  the  Time  being. 

SECT.    XIII. 

AND  we  do  further  appoint  and  ordain, 
and  by  these  Presents,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and 
283 


THE  'HISTORY  OF  THE 

Successors,  we  do  grant  unto  the  said  Wil- 
liam Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  That  he, 
the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and  As- 
signs, may  from  time  to  time  for  ever,  have 
and  enjoy  the  Customs  and  Subsidies,  in  the 
Ports,  Harbours,  and  other  Creeks  and  Places 
aforesaid,  within  the  Province  aforesaid,  pay- 
able or  due  for  Merchandize  and  Wares 
there  to  be  laded  and  unladed,  the  said  Cus- 
toms and  Subsidies  to  be  reasonably  assessed 
upon  any  Occasion,  by  themselves  and  the 
People  there  as  aforesaid  to  be  assembled,  to 
whom  we  give  Power  by  these  Presents,  for 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  upon  just 
Cause  and  due  Proportion  to  assess  and  im- 
pose the  same ;  saving  unto  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  such  Impositions  and  Customs,  as 
by  Act  of  Parliament  are  and  shall  be  ap- 
pointed. 

SECT.    XIV. 

AND  it  is  our  farther  Will  and  Pleasure, 
That  the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  shall  from  Time  to  Time  constitute 
and  appoint  an  Attorney  or  Agent,  to  reside 
in  or  near  our  City  of  London,  who  shall 
make  known  the  Place  where  he  shall  dwell, 
or  may  be  found,  unto  the  Clerks  of  our 
Privy-Council  for  the  Time  being,  or  one  of 
them,  and  shall  be  ready  to  appear  in  any  of 
our  Courts  at  Westminster,  to  answer  for  any 
284 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Misdemeanor  that  shall  be  committed,  or  by 
any  wilful  Default  or  Neglect  permitted  by 
the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns, 
against  the  Laws  of  Trade  and  Navigation  ; 
and  after  it  shall  be  ascertained  in  any  of 
our  said  Courts,  what  Damages  we  or  our 
Heirs  or  Successors  shall  have  sustained  by 
such  Default  or  Neglect,  the  said  William 
Penn,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  shall  pay  the 
same  within  one  Year  after  such  Taxation, 
and  Demand  thereof,  from  such  Attorney ;  or 
in  case  there  shall  be  no  such  Attorney  by 
the  Space  of  one  Year,  or  such  Attorney  shall 
not  make  Payment  of  such  Damages  within 
the  Space  of  a  Year,  and  answer  such  other 
Forfeitures  and  Penalties  within  the  said 
Time,  as  by  the  Acts  of  Parliament  in  Eng- 
land are  and  shall  be  provided,  according  to 
the  true  Intent  and  Meaning  of  these  Pres- 
ents ;  then  it  shall  be  lawful  for  us,  our  Heirs 
and  Successors,  to  seize  and  resume  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  said  Province  or  Country,  and 
the  same  to  retain  until  Payment  shall  be 
made  thereof :  But  notwithstanding  any  such 
Seizure  or  Resumption  of  the  Government, 
nothing  concerning  the  Propriety  or  Owner- 
ship of  any  Lands,  Tenements,  or  other 
Hereditaments,  or  Goods  or  Chatties,  of  any 
of  the  Adventurers,  Planters  or  Owners,  other 
than  the  respective  Offenders  there,  shall  any 
ways  be  affected  or  molested  thereby. 


THE  t  HISTORY  OF  THE 


SECT.    XV. 

PKOVIDED  always,  and  our  Will  and 
Pleasure  is,  That  neither  the  said  William 
Perm,  nor  his  Heirs,  or  any  other  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  said  Province,  shall  at  any  Time 
hereafter  have  or  maintain  any  Correspon- 
dence with  any  other  King,  Prince,  or  State, 
or  with  any  of  their  Subjects,  who  shall  then 
be  in  War  against  us,  our  Heirs  and  Succes- 
sors ;  nor  shall  the  said  William  Penn,  or  his 
Heirs,  or  any  other  Inhabitants  of  the  said 
Province,  make  War,  or  do  any  Act  of  Hos- 
tility against  any  other  King,  Prince,  or 
State,  or  any  of  their  Subjects,  who  shall 
then  be  in  League  or  Amity  with  us,  our 
Heirs  and  Successors. 

SECT.    XVI. 

AND,  because  in  so  remote  a  Country,  and 
situated  near  many  barbarous  Nations,  the 
Incursions  as  well  of  the  Savages  themselves, 
as  of  other  Enemies,  Pirates  and  Robbers, 
may  probably  be  feared ;  Therefore  we  have 
given,  and  for  as,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
do  give  Power  by  these  Presents  to  the  said 
William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  by 
themselves  or  their  Captains,  or  other  their 
Officers,  to  levy,  muster  and  train  all  Sorts 
286 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

of  Men,  of  what  Condition  soever,  or  -where- 
soever born,  in  the  said  Province  of  Pensil- 
vania  for  the  Time  being,  and  to  make  War, 
and  to  pursue  the  Enemies  and  Robbers  afore- 
said, as  well  by  Sea  as  by  Land,  even  with- 
out the  Limits  of  the  said  Province,  and  by 
God's  Assistance  to  vanquish  and  take  them, 
and  being  taken  to  put  them  to  Death  by 
the  Law  of  War,  or  to  save  them  at  their 
Pleasure,  and  to  do  all  and  every  other  Thing 
which  unto  the  Charge  and  Office  of  a  Cap- 
tain-General of  an  Army  belongeth,  or  hath 
accustomed  to  belong,  as  fully  and  freely  as 
any  Captain-General  of  an  Army  hath  ever 
had  the  same. 

SECT.    XVII. 

AND  FURTHERMORE,  of  our  special 
Grace,  and  of  our  certain  Knowledge  and 
mere  Motion,  we  have  given  and  granted,  and 
by  these  Presents,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors, do  give  and  grant  unto  the  said  Wil- 
liam Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns,  full  and 
absolute  Power,  Licence  and  Authority,  that 
he,  the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  from  time  to  time  hereafter  for  ever, 
at  his  or  their  own  Will  and  Pleasure  may 
assign,  alien,  grant,  demise,  or  enfeoff  of  the 
Premisses  so  many  and  such  Parts  and  Par- 
cels to  him  that  shall  be  willing  to  purchase 
the  same,  as  they  shall  think  fit,  to  have  and 
287 


THE,  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  hold  to  them  the  said  Person  and  Persons 
willing  to  take  and  purchase,  their  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  in  Fee-simple  or  Fee-tail,  or  for  the 
Term  of  Life,  Lives  or  Years,  to  be  held  of 
the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns,. 
as  of  the  said  Seigniory  of  Windsor,  by  such 
Services,  Customs  or  Kents,  as  shall  seem 
meet  to  the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  or 
Assigns,  and  not  immediately  of  us,  our 
Heirs  or  Successors. 

SECT.    XVIII. 

AND  to  the  same  Person  or  Persons,  and 
to  all  and  every  of  them,  we  do  give  and 
grant  by  these  Presents,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  Licence,  Authority  and  Power, 
that  such  Person  «.  Persons  may  take  the 
Premisses,  or  any  Parcel  thereof,  of  the  afore- 
said William  Penn,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  and 
the  same  hold  to  themselves,  their  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  in  what  Estate  of  Inheritance  so- 
ever, in  Fee-simple  or  in  Fee-tail,  or  other- 
wise, as  to  him,  the  said  William  Penn,  his 
Heirs  or  Assigns,  shall  seem  expedient :  The 
Statute  made  in  the  Parliament  of  EDWARD, 
Son  of  King  HENRY,  lace  King  of  England, 
our  Predecessor,  (commooly  called  The  Stat- 
ute quia  emptores  terrarum,  lately  pub- 
lished in  our  Kingdom  of  England)  in  any 
wise  notwithstanding. 

288 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


SECT.    XIX. 

AND  by  these  Presents  we  give  and  grant 
Licence  unto  the  said  William  Penn,  and  his 
Heirs,  and  likewise  to  all  and  every  such 
Person  or  Persons  to  whom  the  said  William 
Penn,  or  his  Heirs,  shall  at  any  Time  here- 
after grant  any  Estate  or  Inheritance  as  afore- 
said, to  erect  any  Parcels  of  Land  within  the 
Province  aforesaid  into  Manors,  by  and  with 
the  Licence  to  be  first  had  and  obtained  for 
that  Purpose,  under  the  Hand  and  Seal  of 
the  said  William  Penn,  or  his  Heirs ;  and  in 
every  of  the  said  Manors  to  have  and  to  hold 
a  Court-Baron,  with  all  things  whatsoever 
which  to  a  Court-Baron  do  belong,  and  to 
have  and  to  hold  View  of  Frank-Pledge  for 
the  Conservation  of  the  Peace,  and  the  bet- 
ter Government  of  those  Parts,  by  themselves 
or  their  Stewards,  or  by  the  Lords  for  the 
Time  being  of  the  Manors  to  be  disputed 
when  they  shall  be  erected,  and  in  the  same 
to  use  all  Things  belonging  to  the  View  of 
Frank-Pledge.  AND  we  do  further  grant 
Licence  and  Authority,  That  every  such  Per- 
son or  Persons  who  shall  erect  any  such 
Manor  or  Manors,  as  aforesaid,  shall  or  may 
grant  all  or  any  Part  of  his  said  Land  to  any 
Person  or  Persons,  in  Fee-simple,  or  any  other 
Estate  of  Inheritance  to  be  held  of  the  said 
Vol.  II. -19  289 


THE  v  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Manors  respectively,  so  as  no  farther  Tenure 
shall  be  created,  but  that  upon  all  further  or 
other  Alienations  thereafter  to  be  made,  the 
said  Lands  so  aliened  shall  be  held  of  the 
same  Lord  and  his  Heirs,  of  whom  the  Aliener 
did  then  before  hold,  and  by  the  like  Rents 
and  Services  which  were  before  due  and  ac- 
customed. 

SECT.    XX. 

AND  FURTHER  our  Pleasure  is,  and  by 
these  Presents,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors, we  do  covenant  and  grant  to  and 
with  the  said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  That  we,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
shall  at  no  Time  hereafter  set  or  make,  or 
cause  to  be  set  or  made,  any  Imposition, 
Custom,  or  other  Taxation,  Rate  or  Contrib- 
ution whatsoever,  in  and  upon  the  Dwellers 
and  Inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid  Province,  or 
their  Lands,  Tenements,  Goods  or  Chatties 
within  the  said  Province,  or  in  and  upon  any 
Goods  or  Merchandizes  within  the  Province, 
or  to  be  laden  or  unladen  within  the  Ports  or 
Harbours  of  the  said  Province,  unless  the 
same  be  with  the  Consent  of  the  Proprietary, 
or  chief  Governor,  or  Assembly,  or  by  Act  of 
Parliament  in  England. 

SECT.    XXI. 
AND  our  Pleasure  is,  and  for  us,  our  Heirs 
and   Successors,  we   charge   and  command, 
290 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

That  this  our  Declaration  shall  from  hence- 
forth from  Time  to  Time  be  received  and  al- 
lowed in  all  our  Courts,  and  before  all  the 
Judges  of  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  for 
a  sufficient  lawful  Discharge,  Payment  and 
Acquittance ;  commanding  all  the  Officers  and 
Ministers  of  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
and  enjoining  them  upon  Pain  of  our  highest 
Displeasure,  that  they  do  not  presume  at  any 
Time  to  attempt  any  thing  to  the  contrary  of 
the  Premisses,  or  that  do  in  any  sort  with- 
stand the  same,  but  that  they  be  at  all  Times 
aiding  and  assisting,  as  is  fitting  to  the  said 
William  Penn,  and  his  Heirs,  and  unto  the 
Inhabitants  and  Merchants  of  the  Province 
aforesaid,  their  Servants,  Ministers,  Factors, 
and  Assigns,  in  the  full  Use  and  Fruition  of 
the  Benefit  of  this  our  Charter. 

SECT.    XXII. 

AND  our  farther  Pleasure  is,  and  we  do 
hereby,  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
charge  and  require,  That  if  any  of  the  Inhab- 
itants of  the  said  Province,  to  the  Number  of 
Twenty,  shall  at  any  Time  hereafter  be  de- 
sirous, and  shall  by  any  Writing,  or  by  any 
Person  deputed  by  them,  signify  such  their 
Desire  to  the  Bishop  of  London  for  the  Time 
being,  That  any  Preacher  or  Preachers,  to  be 
approved  of  by  the  said  Bishop,  may  be  sent 
291 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

unto  them  for  their  Instruction ;  That  then 
such  Preacher  or  Preachers  shall  and  may- 
reside  within  the  said  Province,  without  any 
Denial  or  Molestation  whatsover. 


SECT.    XXIII. 

AND  if  perchance  hereafter  any  Doubt  or 
Question  should  arise,  concerning  the  true 
Sense  and  Meaning  of  any  Word,  Clause,  or 
Sentence  contained  in  this  our  present  Char- 
ter, we  will,  ordain,  and  command,  That  at 
all  Times,  and  in  all  Things,  such  Interpre- 
tation be  made  thereof,  and  allowed  in  any 
of  our  Courts  whatsoever,  as  shall  be  adjudged 
most  advantageous  and  favourable  unto  the 
said  William  Penn,  his  Heirs  and  Assigns: 
Provided  always  no  Interpretation  be  ad- 
mitted thereof,  by  which  the  Allegiance  due 
unto  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  may  suffer 
any  Prejudice  or  Diminution ;  although  ex- 
press Mention  be  not  made  in  these  Presents 
of  the  true  yearly  Value,  or  Certainty  of  the 
Premisses,  or  any  Part  thereof,  or  of  other 
Gifts  and  Grants  made  by  us  and  our  Pro- 
genitors or  Predecessors  unto  the  said  Wil- 
liam Penn:  Any  Statute,  Act,  Ordinance, 
Provision,  Proclamation,  or  Restraint  hereto- 
fore had,  made,  published,  ordained,  or  pro- 
vided, or  any  other  Thing,  Cause  or  Matter 
whatsoever,  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any 
292 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

wise  notwithstanding.  IN  WITNESS 
whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  Letters  to 
be  made  Patent:  Witness  OUR  SELF,  at 
Westminster,  the  Fourth  Day  of  March,  in 
the  three  and  thirtieth  Year  of  our  Reign. 
Annoque  Domini  One  Thousand  Six  Hundred 
and  Eighty-one. 

By  Writ  of  Privy  Seal, 

PIGOTT. 


The  FRAME  of  the  Government  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Pensilvania  in  America :  Together 
with  certain  Laws  agreed  upon  in  England. 
By  the  Governor  and  divers  Freemen  of  the 
aforesaid  Province.  To  be  further  ex- 
plained and  continued  there,  by  the  first 
Provincial  Council  that  shall  be  held,  if 
they  see  meet. 

The    PREFACE. 

WHEN  the  great  and  wise  GOD  had 
made  the  World,  of  all  his  Crea- 
tures it  pleased  him  to  chuse  Man  his  Deputy 
to  rule  it;  and  to  fit  him  for  so  great  a 
Charge  and  Trust,  he  did  not  only  qualify 
him  with  Skill  and  Power,  but  with  Integrity 
to  use  them  justly.  This  native  Goodness 
was  equally  his  Honour  and  his  Happiness ; 
293 


THE  ^HISTORY  OF  THE 

and  whilst  he  stood  here,  all  went  well ;  there 
was  no  need  of  coercive  or  compulsive  Means ; 
the  Precept  of  divine  Love  and  Truth  in  his 
Bosom  was  the  Guide  and  Keeper  of  his  In- 
nocency.  But  Lust  prevailing  against  Duty, 
made  a  lamentable  Breach  upon  it ;  and  the 
Law,  that  had  before  no  Power  over  him, 
took  place  upon  him  and  his  disobedient  Pos- 
terity, that  such  as  would  not  live  conforma- 
ble to  the  holy  Law  within,  should  fall  under 
the  Reproof  and  Correction  of  the  just  Law 
without,  in  a  judicial  Administration. 

THIS  the  Apostle  teaches  in  divers  of  his 
Epistles :  The  Law  (says  he)  was  added  be- 
cause of  Transgression:  In  another  Place, 
Knowing  that  the  Law  was  not  made  for  the 
righteous  Man ;  but  for  the  disobedient  and 
ungodly,  for  Sinners,  for  unholy  and  pro- 
phane,  for  Murderers,  for  Whoremongers, 
for  them  that  defile  themselves  with  Man- 
kind, and  for  Men-stealers,  for  Liars,  for 
perjured  Persons,  &c.  But  this  is  not  all,  he 
opens  and  carries  the  Matter  of  Government 
a  little  further :  Let  every  Soul  be  subject  to 
the  higher  Powers ;  for  there  is  no  Power  but 
of  GOD.  The  Powers  that  be  are  ordained 
of  GOD :  Whosoever  therefore  resisteth  the 
Power,  resisteth  the  Ordinance  of  GOD.  For 
Rulers  are  not  a  Terror  to  good  Works,  but 
to  evil :  Wilt  thou  then  not  be  afraid  of  the 
Power?  do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou  shalt 
294 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

have  Praise  of  the  same. — He  is  the  Minister 
of  God  to  thee  for  good. — Wherefore  ye  must 
needs  be  subject,  not  only  for  Wrath,  but  for 
Conscience  sake. 

THIS  settles  the  divine  Eight  of  Govern- 
ment beyond  Exception,  and  that  for  two 
Ends :  First  to  terrify  evil  Doers ;  Secondly 
to  cherish  those  that  do  well ;  which  gives 
Government  a  Life  beyond  Corruption,  and 
makes  it  as  durable  in  the  Word,  as  good 
Men  shall  be.  So  that  Government  seems  to 
me  a  Part  of  Religion  itself,  a  Thing  sacred 
in  its  Institution  and  End.  For  if  it  does 
not  directly  remove  the  Cause,  it  crushes  the 
Effects  of  Evil,  and  is  as  such  (though  a 
lower  yet)  an  Emanation  of  the  same  divine 
Power,  that  is  both  Author  and  Object  of 
pure  Religion ;  the  Difference  lying  here,  that 
the  one  is  more  free  and  mental,  the  other 
more  corporal  and  compulsive  in  its  Opera- 
tions :  But  that  is  only  to  evil  Doers ;  Gov- 
ernment itself  being  otherwise  as  capable  of 
Kindness,  Goodness,  and  Charity,  as  a  more 
private  Society.  They  weakly  err,  that  think 
there  is  no  other  Use  of  Government  than 
Correction,  which  is  the  coarsest  Part  of  it : 
Daily  Experience  tells  us,  that  the  Care  and 
Regulation  of  many  other  Affairs,  more  soft 
and  daily  necessary,  make  up  much  the  great- 
est Part  of  Government;  and  which  must 
have  followed  the  Peopling  of  the  World, 
295 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

had  Adam  never  fell,  and  will  continue 
among  Men  on  Earth  under  the  highest  At- 
tainments they  may  arrive  at,  by  the  coming 
of  the  blessed  Second  Adam,  the  LORD 
from  Heaven.  Thus  much  of  Government  in 
general,  as  to  its  Rise  and  End. 

FOR  particular  Frames  and  Models,  it  will 
become  me  to  say  little ;  and  comparatively 
I  will  say  nothing.  My  Reasons  are :  First, 
That  the  Age  is  too  nice  and  difficult  for  it ; 
there  being  nothing  the  Wits  of  Men  are 
more  busy  and  divided  upon.  JTis  true,  they 
seem  to  agree  in  the  End,  to  wit,  Happiness ; 
but  in  the  Means  they  differ,  as  to  divine, 
so  to  this  human  Felicity ;  and  the  Cause  is 
much  the  same,  not  always  "Want  of  Light 
and  Knowledge,  but  Want  of  Using  them 
rightly.  Men  side  with  their  Passions 
against  their  Reason,  and  their  sinister  In- 
terests have  so  strong  a  Biass  upon  their 
Minds,  that  they  lean  to  them  against  the 
good  of  the  things  they  know. 

Secondly,  I  do  not  find  a  Model  in  the 
World,  that  Time,  Place,  and  some  singular 
Emergencies  have  not  necessarily  altered; 
nor  is  it  easy  to  frame  a  civil  Government, 
that  shall  serve  all  Places  alike. 

Thirdly,  I  know  what  is  said  by  the  sev- 
eral Admirers  of  Monarchy,  Aristocracy,  and 
Democracy,  which  are  the  Rule  of  one,  a  few, 
and  many,  and  are  the  three  common  Ideas 
296 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

of  Government,  when  Men  discourse  on  that 
Subject.  But  I  chuse  to  solve  the  Contro- 
versy with  this  small  Distinction,  and  it  be- 
longs to  all  three :  Any  Government  is  free 
to  the  People  under  it  (whatever  be  the 
Frame)  where  the  Laws  rule,  and  the  People 
are  a  Party  to  those  Laws ;  and  more  than 
this  is  Tyranny,  Oligarchy,  or  Confusion. 

BUT  Lastly,  when  all  is  said,  there  is 
hardly  one  Frame  of  Government  in  the 
World  so  ill  designed  by  its  first  Founders, 
that  in  good  Hands  would  not  do  well  enough ; 
and  Story  tells  us,  the  best  in  ill  ones  can 
do  nothing  that  is  great  or  good ;  Witness 
the  Jewish  and  Boman  States.  Govern- 
ments, like  Clocks,  go  from  the  Motion  Men 
give  them ;  and  as  Governments  are  made  and 
moved  by  Men,  so  by  them  they  are  ruined 
too.  Wherefore  Governments  rather  depend 
upon  Men,  than  Men  upon  Governments. 
Let  Men  be  good,  and  the  Government  can't 
be  bad ;  if  it  be  ill,  they  will  cure  it.  But  if 
Men  be  bad,  let  the  Government  be  never  so 
good,  they  will  endeavour  to  warp  and  spoil 
it  to  their  Turn. 

I  know  some  say,  Let  us  have  good  Laws, 
and  no  matter  for  the  Men  that  execute 
them:  But  let  them  consider,  That  though 
good  Laws  do  well,  good  Men  do  better :  For 
good  Laws  may  want  good  Men,  and  be  abol- 
ished or  evaded  by  ill  Men  j  but  good  Men 
297 


THE  "piSTORY  OF  THE 

will  never  want  good  Laws,  nor  suffer  ill 
ones.  'Tis  true,  good  Laws  have  some  awe 
upon  ill  Ministers,  but  that  is  where  they 
have  no  Power  to  escape  or  abolish  them, 
and  the  People  are  generally  wise  and  good : 
But  a  loose  and  depraved  People  (which  is  to 
the  Question)  love  Laws  and  an  Administra- 
tion like  themselves.  That  therefore  which 
makes  a  good  Constitution,  must  keep  it,  viz. 
Men  of  Wisdom  and  Virtue,  Qualities,  that 
because  they  descend  not  with  worldly  Inher- 
itances, must  be  carefully  propagated  by  a 
virtuous  Education  of  Youth;  for  which 
After- Ages  will  owe  more  to  the  Care  and 
Prudence  of  Founders  and  the  successive 
Magistracy,  than  to  their  Parents  for  their 
private  Patrimonies. 

THESE  Considerations  of  the  Weight  of 
Government,  and  the  nice  and  various  Opin- 
ions about  it,  made  it  uneasy  to  me  to  think 
of  publishing  the  ensuing  Frame  and  condi- 
tional Laws,  foreseeing,  both  the  Censures 
they  will  meet  with  from  Men  of  differing 
Humours  and  Engagements,  and  the  Occasion 
they  may  give  of  Discourse  beyond  my  De- 
sign. 

BUT  next  to  the  Power  of  Necessity, 
(which  is  a  Solicitor  that  will  take  no  Denial) 
this  induced  me  to  a  Compliance,  that  we 
have  with  Reverence  to  GOD  and  good  Con- 
science to  Men)  to  the  best  of  our  Skill,  con- 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

trived  and  composed  the  FRAME  and 
LAWS  of  this  Government,  to  the  great  End 
of  all  Government,  viz.  To  support  Power  in 
Reverence  with  the  People,  and  to  secure  the 
People  from  the  Abuse  of  Power ;  that  they 
may  be  free  by  their  just  Obedience,  and  the 
Magistrates  honourable  for  their  just  Admin- 
istration :  For  Liberty  without  Obedience  is 
Confusion,  and  Obedience  without  Liberty  is 
Slavery.  To  carry  this  Evenness  is  partly 
owing  to  the  Constitution,  and  partly  to  the 
Magistracy :  Where  either  of  these  fail,  Gov- 
ernment will  be  subject  to  Convulsions ;  but 
where  both  are  wanting,  it  must  be  totally 
subverted :  Then  where  both  meet,  the  Gov- 
ernment is  like  to  endure.  Which  I  humbly 
pray,  and  hope  GOD  will  please  to  make  the 
Lot  of  this  of  Pensilvania.     Amen. 

William  Penn. 


The  FRAME,  &c. 

TO  ALL  PEOPLE,  To  whom  these  Pres- 
ents shall  come.  WHEREAS  King 
CHARLES  the  Second,  by  his  Letters  Pat- 
ents, under  the  great  Seal  of  England,  for  the 
Consideration  therein  mentioned,  hath  been 
graciously  pleased  to  give  and  grant  unto  me 
William  Penn  (by  the  Name  of  William 
Penn,  Esq;  Son  and  Heir  of  Sir  William 
299 


THE  mSTORY  OF  THE 

Perm  deceased)  and  to  my  Heirs  and  Assigns 
for  ever,  all  that  Tract  of  Land,  or  Province 
called  Pensilvania,  in  America,  with  divers 
great  Powers,  Preheminences,  Koyalties,  Jur- 
isdictions, and  Authorities,  necessary  for  the 
Well-being  and  Government  thereof:  NOW 
KNOW  YE,  That  for  the  Well-being  and 
Government  of  the  said  Province,  and  for 
the  Encouragement  of  all  the  Freemen  and 
Planters  that  may  be  therein  concerned,  in 
Pursuance  of  the  Powers  afore-mentioned, 
I  the  said  William  Penn  have  declared, 
granted  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  Presents, 
for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  do  declare, 
grant  and  confirm  unto  all  the  Freemen, 
Planters  and  Adventurers,  of,  in  and  to  the 
said  Province,  these  Liberties,  Franchises, 
and  Properties,  to  be  held,  enjoyed  and  kept 
by  the  Freemen,  Planters  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  said  Province  of  Pensilvania  for  ever. 

IMPRIMIS. 

THAT  the  Government  of  this  Province 
shall,  according  the  Powers  of  the  Patent, 
consist  of  the  Governor  and  Freemen  of  the 
said  Province,  in  Form  of  a  Provincial  Coun- 
cil and  General  Assembly,  by  whom  all  Laws 
shall  be  made,  Officers  chosen,  and  publick 
Affairs  transacted,  as  is  hereafter  respectively 
declared.  That  is  to  say, 
300 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


II. 

THAT  the  Freemen  of  the  said  Province 
shall  on  the  twentieth  Day  of  the  twelfth 
Month,  which  shall  be  in  this  present  Year 
One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  Eighty  and  Two, 
meet  and  assemble  in  some  fit  Place,  of  which 
timely  Notice  shall  be  beforehand  given  by 
the  Governor  or  his  Deputy,  and  then  and 
there  shall  chuse  out  of  themselves  Seventy- 
two  Persons  of  most  Note  for  their  Wisdom, 
Virtue,  and  Ability,  who  shall  meet  on  the 
tenth  Day  of  the  first  Month  next  ensuing, 
and  always  be  called  and  act  as  the  provincial 
Council  of  the  said  Province. 

III. 

THAT  at  the  first  Choice  of  such  provin- 
cial Council,  one  third  part  of  the  said  pro- 
vincial Council  shall  be  chosen  to  serve  for 
three  Years  then  next  ensuing,  one  third  part 
for  two  Years  then  next  ensuing,  and  one 
third  part  for  one  Year  then  next  following 
such  Election,  and  no  longer ;  and  that  the 
said  third  part  shall  go  out  accordingly: 
And  on  the  twentieth  Day  of  the  twelfth 
Month  as  aforesaid,  yearly  for  ever  after- 
ward, the  Freemen  of  the  said  Province  shall 
in  like  Manner  meet  and  assemble  together, 
and  then  chuse  Twenty-four  Persons,  being 
301 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

one  third  of  the  said  Number,  to  serve  in 
provincial  Council  for  three  Years :  It  being 
intended,  that  one  third  part  of  the  whole 
provincial  Council  (always  consisting,  and 
to  consist  of  seventy-two  Persons,  as  afore'- 
said)  falling  off  yearly,  it  shall  be  yearly 
supplied  by  such  new  yearly  Elections,  as 
aforesaid ;  and  that  no  one  Person  shall  con- 
tinue therein  longer  than  three  Years :  And 
in  case  any  Member  shall  decease  before  the 
last  Election  during  his  Time,  that  then  at 
the  next  Election  ensuing  his  Decease,  an- 
other shall  be  chosen  to  supply  his  Place  for 
the  remaining  Time  he  was  to  have  served, 
and  no  longer. 

IV. 

THAT  after  the  first  seven  Years,  every 
one  of  the  said  third  parts  that  goeth  yearly 
off,  shall  be  uncapable  of  being  chosen  again 
for  one  whole  Year  following:  That  so  all 
may  be  fitted  for  Government,  and  have  Ex- 
perience of  the  Care  and  Burden  of  it. 

V. 

THAT  the  provincial  Council  in  all  Cases 
and  Matters  of  Moment,  as  their  arguing 
upon  Bills  to  be  past  into  Laws,  erecting 
Courts  of  Justice,  giving  Judgment  upon 
Criminals  impeached,  and  Choice  of  Officers, 
in  such  Manner  as  is  herein  after-mentioned; 
302 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

not  less  than  two-thirds  of  the  whole  provin- 
cial Council  shall  make  a  Quorum ;  and  that 
the  Consent  not  Approbation  of  two-thirds 
of  such  Quorum  shall  be  had  in  all  such  Cases 
and  Matters  of  Moment.  And  moreover,  that 
in  all  Cases  and  Matters  of  lesser  Moment, 
twenty-four  Members  of  the  said  provincial 
Council  shall  make  a  Quorum,  the  Majority 
of  which  twenty -four  shall  and  may  always 
determine  on  such  Cases  and  Causes  of  lesser 
Moment. 

VI. 

THAT  in  this  provincial  Council  the  Gov- 
ernor, or  his  Deputy,  shall  or  may  always 
preside,  and  have  a  treble  Voice;  and  the 
said  provincial  Council  shall  always  continue 
and  sit  upon  its  own  Adjournments  and  Com- 
mittees. 

VII. 

THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  prepare  and  propose  to  the  general 
Assembly  hereafter  mentioned,  all  Bills, 
which  they  shall  at  any  Time  think  fit  to  be 
passed  into  Laws  within  the  said  Province ; 
which  Bills  shall  be  published  and  affixed  to 
the  most  noted  Places  in  the  inhabited  Parts 
thereof,  thirty  Days  before  the  Meeting  of 
the  general  Assembly,  in  order  to  the  passing 
them  into  Laws,  or  rejecting  of  them,  as  the 
general  Assembly  shall  see  meet. 


THE*  HISTORY  OF  THE 

VIII. 

THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun* 
cil  shall  take  care,  that  all  Laws,  Statutes^ 
and  Ordinances,  which  shall  at  any  Time  be 
made  within  the  said  Province,  be  duly  and 
diligently  executed. 

IX. 

THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  at  all  Times  have  the  Care  of  the 
Peace  and  Safety  of  the  Province,  and  that 
nothing  be  by  any  Person  attempted  to  the 
Subversion  of  this  Frame  of  Government. 

X. 
THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  at  all  Times  settle  and  order  the  Sit- 
uation of  all  Cities,  Ports,  and  Market-Towns 
in  every  County,  modelling  therein  all  pub- 
lick  Buildings,  Streets,  and  Market-Places, 
and  shall  appoint  all  necessary  Eoads  and 
Highways  in  the  Province. 

XI. 
THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  at  all  Times  have  Power  to  inspect 
the  Management  of  the  publick  Treasury,  and 
punish  those  who  shall  convert  any  Part 
thereof  to  any  other  Use,  than  what  hath 
been  agreed  upon  by  the  Governor,  provincial 
Council,  and  general  Assembly. 
304 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

XII. 
THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  erect  and  order  all  publick  Schools, 
and  encourage  and  reward  the  Authors  of 
useful  Sciences  and  laudable  Inventions  in  the 
said  Province. 

XIII. 

THAT  for  the  better  Management  of  the 
Powers  and  Trust  aforesaid,  the  provincial 
Council  shall  from  time  to  time  divide  itself 
into  four  distinct  and  proper  Committees,  for 
the  more  easy  Administration  of  the  Affairs 
of  the  Province,  which  divides  the  Seventy- 
two  into  four  Eighteens,  every  one  of  which 
Eighteens  shall  consist  of  six  out  of  each  of 
the  three  Orders  or  yearly  Elections,  each  of 
which  shall  have  a  distinct  Portion  of  Busi- 
ness, as  followeth:  First,  a  Committee  of 
Plantations,  to  situate  and  settle  Cities,  Ports, 
and  Market-Towns,  and  Highways,  and  to 
hear  and  decide  all  Suits  and  Controversies 
relating  to  Plantations.  Secondly,  a  Com- 
mittee of  Justice  and  Safety,  to  secure  the 
Peace  of  the  Province,  and  punish  the  Male- 
Administration  of  those  who  subvert  Justice 
to  the  Prejudice  of  the  publick  or  private 
Interest.  Thirdly,  a  Committee  of  Trade  and 
Treasury,  who  shall  regulate  all  Trade  and 
Commerce  according  to  Law,  encourage  Man- 
ufacture and  Country-Growth,  and  defray 
You  II.— 20  305 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  publick  Charge  of  the  Province.  And 
Fourthly,  a  Committee  of  Manners,  Educa- 
tion, and  Arts,  that  all  wicked  and  scanda- 
lous Living  may  be  prevented,  and  that 
Youth  may  be  successively  trained  up  in  Vir- 
tue and  useful  Knowledge  and  Arts:  The 
Quorum  of  each  of  which  Committees  being 
six,  that  is,  two  out  of  each  of  the  three 
Orders  or  yearly  Elections,  as  aforesaid, 
make  a  constant  and  standing  Council  of 
Twenty-four,  which  will  have  the  Power  of 
the  provincial  Council,  being  the  Quorum  of 
it,  in  all  Cases  not  excepted  in  the  fifth  Arti- 
cle ;  and  in  the  said  Committees  and  standing 
Council  of  the  Province,  the  Governor  or  his 
Deputy  shall  or  may  preside,  as  aforesaid; 
and  in  the  Absence  of  the  Governor  or  his 
Deputy,  if  no  one  is  by  either  of  them  ap- 
pointed, the  said  Committees  or  Council  shall 
appoint  a  President  for  that  Time,  and  not 
otherwise ;  and  what  shall  be  resolved  at  such 
Committees,  shall  be  reported  to  the  said 
Council  of  the  Province,  and  shall  be  by 
them  resolved  and  confirmed  before  the  same 
shall  be  put  in  Execution;  and  that  these 
respective  Committees  shall  not  sit  at  one  and 
the  same  Time,  except  in  Cases  of  Necessity. 

XIV. 

AND,  to  the  End  that  all  Laws  prepared 
by  the  Governor  and  provincial  Council  af  ore- 
306 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

said,  may  yet  have  the  more  full  Concurrence 
of  the  Freemen  of  the  Province,  it  is  declared, 
granted,  and  confirmed,  That  at  the  Time 
and  Place  or  Places  for  the  Choice  of  a  pro- 
vincial Council  as  aforesaid,  the  said  Freemen 
shall  yearly  chuse  Members  to  serve  in  a  gen- 
eral Assembly  as  their  Representatives,  not 
exceeding  two  hundred  Persons,  who  shall 
yearly  meet  from  the  twentieth  Day  of  the 
second  Month,  which  shall  be  in  the  Year 
One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  Eighty  and 
Three  following,  in  the  capital  Town  or  City 
of  the  said  Province,  where  during  eight 
Days  the  several  Members  may  freely  confer 
with  one  another ;  and,  if  any  of  them  see 
meet,  with  a  Committee  of  the  provincial 
Council  (consisting  of  three  out  of  each  of 
the  four  Committees  aforesaid,  being  twelve 
in  all)  which  shall  be  at  that  Time,  purposely 
appointed  to  receive  from  any  of  them  Pro- 
posals for  the  Alterations  or  Amendment  of 
any  of  the  said  proposed  and  promulgated 
Bills :  And  on  the  ninth  Day  from  their  so 
meeting,  the  said  general  Assembly,  after 
Reading  over  the  proposed  Bills  by  the  Clerk 
of  the  provincial  Council,  and  the  Occasions 
and  Motives  for  them  being  opened  by  the 
Governor  or  his  Deputy,  shall  give  their 
Affirmative  or  Negative,  which  to  them  seem- 
eth  best,  in  such  Manner  as  herein  after  is 
express'  d.  But  not  less  than  two-thirds  shall 
307 


THE'HISTORY  OF  THE 

make  a  Quorum,  in  the  Passing  of  Laws, 
and  Choice  of  such  Officers  as  are  by  them  to 
be  chosen. 

XV. 

THAT  the  Laws  so  prepared  and  proposed 
as  aforesaid,  that  are  assented  to  by  the  gen- 
eral Assembly,  shall  be  enrolled  as  Laws  of 
the  Province,  with  this  Stile :  By  the  Gover- 
nor, with  the  Assent  and  Approbation  of  the 
Freemen  in  provincial  Council  and  general 
Assembly. 

XVI. 

THAT,  for  the  better  Establishment  of 
the  Government  and  Laws  of  this  Province, 
and  to  the  End  there  may  be  an  universal 
Satisfaction  in  the  Laying  of  the  Fundamen- 
tals thereof ;  the  general  Assembly  shall,  or 
may  for  the  first  Year,  consist  of  all  the 
Freemen  of  and  in  the  said  Province,  and 
ever  after  it  shall  be  yearly  chosen  as  afore- 
said; which  Number  of  two  hundred  shall 
be  enlarged  as  the  Country  shall  encrease  in 
People,  so  as  it  do  not  exceed  five  hundred 
at  any  Time :  The  Appointment  and  Propor- 
tioning of  which,  as  also  the  Laying  and 
Methodizing  of  the  Choice  of  the  provincial 
Council  and  general  Assembly  in  future 
Times,  most  equally  to  the  Divisions  of  the 
Hundreds  and  Counties,  which  the  Country 
shall  hereafter  be  divided  into,  shall  be  in 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  Power  of  the  provincial  Council  to  pro- 
pose, and  the  general  Assembly  to  resolve. 

XVII. 
THAT  the  Governor  and  the  provincial 
Council  shall  erect  from  time  to  time  stand- 
ing Courts  of  Justice,  in  such  Places  and 
Number  as  they  shall  judge  convenient  for 
the  good  Government  of  the  said  Province. 
And  that  the  provincial  Council  shall  on  the 
thirteenth  Day  of  the  first  Month  yearly, 
elect  and  present  to  the  Governor  or  his  Dep- 
uty, a  double  Number  of  Persons,  to  serve 
for  Judges,  Treasurers,  Masters  of  Rolls, 
within  the  said  Province  for  the  Year  next 
ensuing ;  and  the  Freemen  of  the  said  Prov- 
ince in  the  County-Courts,  when  they  shall 
be  erected,  and  till  then  in  the  general  As- 
sembly, shall  on  the  three  and  twentieth  Day 
of  the  second  Month  yearly,  elect  and  pre- 
sent to  the  Governor  or  his  Deputy,  a  double 
Number  of  Persons  to  serve  for  Sheriffs,  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace,  and  Coroners,  for  the 
Year  next  ensuing ;  out  of  which  respective 
Elections  and  Presentments,  the  Governor  or 
his  Deputy  shall  nominate  and  commission- 
ate  the  proper  Number  for  each  Office  the 
third  Day  after  the  said  Presentments;  or 
else  the  first  named  in  such  Presentment  for 
each  Office,  shall  stand  and  serve  for  that 
Office  the  Year  ensuing. 
309 


THE  HiSTORY  OF  THE 

XVIII. 

BUT  forasmuch  as  the  present  Condition 
of  the  Province  requires  some  immediate  Set- 
tlement, and  admits  not  of  so  quick  a  Revo- 
lution of  Officers ;  and  to  the  End  the  said 
Province  may,  with  all  convenient  Speed,  be 
well  ordered  and  settled,  I  William  Penn  do 
therefore  think  fit  to  nominate  and  appoint 
such  Persons  for  Judges,  Treasurers,  Mas- 
ters of  the  Rolls,  Sheriffs,  Justices  of  the 
Peace,  and  Coroners,  as  are  most  fitly  quali- 
fied for  those  Employments ;  to  whom  I  shall 
make  and  grant  Commissions  for  the  said 
Officers,  respectively,  to  hold  to  them  to 
whom  the  same  shall  be  granted,  for  so  long 
Time  as  every  such  Person  shall  well  behave 
himself  in  the  Office  or  Place  to  him  respec- 
tively granted,  and  no  longer.  And  upon 
the  Decease  or  Displacing  of  any  of  the  said 
Officers,  the  succeeding  Officer  or  Officers 
shall  be  chosen  as  aforesaid, 

XIX. 

THAT  the  general  Assembly  shall  continue 
so  long  as  may  be  needful  to  impeach  Crimi- 
nals fit  to  be  there  impeached,  to  pass  Bills 
into  Laws  that  they  shall  think  fit  to  pass 
into  Laws,  and  till  such  Time  as  the  Gover- 
nor and  provincial  Council  shall  declare  that 
they  have  nothing  further  to  propose  unto 
310 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

them  for  their  Assent  and  Approbation :  And 
that  Declaration  shall  be  a  Dismiss  to  the 
general  Assembly  for  that  time ;  which  gen- 
eral Assembly  shall  be  notwithstanding  capa- 
ble of  assembling  together  upon  the  Summons 
of  the  provincial  Council,  at  any  Time  during 
that  Year,  if  the  said  provincial  Council  shall 
see  Occasion  for  their  so  assembling. 

XX. 

THAT  all  the  Elections  of  Members  or 
Eepresentatives  of  the  People  to  serve  in  pro- 
vincial Council  and  general  Assembly,  and  all 
Questions  to  be  determined  by  both  or  either 
of  them,  that  relate  to  passing  of  Bills  into 
Laws,  to  the  Choice  of  Officers,  to  Impeach- 
ments made  by  the  general  Assembly,  and 
Judgment  of  Criminals  upon  such  Impeach- 
ments by  the  provincial  Council,  and  to  all 
other  Cases  by  them  respectively  judged  of 
Importance,  shall  be  resolved  and  determined 
by  the  Ballot;  and  unless  on  sudden  and  in- 
dispensible  Occasions,  no  Business  in  provin- 
cial Council,  or  its  respective  Committees, 
shall  be  finally  determined  the  same  Day  that 
it  is  moved. 

XXI. 

THAT  at  all  times,  when,  and  so  often  as 

it  shall  happen  that  the  Governor  shall  or 

may  be  an  Infant  under  the  Age  of  one  and 

twenty  Years,  and  no  Guardians  or  Com  mis* 

311 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

sioners  are  appointed  in  Writing  by  the  Fath- 
er of  the  said  Infant,  or  that  such  Guardians 
or  Commissioners  shall  be  deceased ;  that  dur- 
ing such  Minority,  the  provincial  Council 
shall  from  Time  to  Time,  as  they  shall  see 
meet,  constitute  and  appoint  Guardians  or 
Commissioners,  not  exceeding  three ;  one  of 
which  three  shall  preside  as  Deputy  and  chief 
Guardian,  during  such  Minority,  and  shall 
have,  and  execute,  with  the  Consent  of  the 
other  two,  all  the  Power  of  a  Governor,  in 
all  the  publick  Affairs  and  Concerns  of  the 
said  Province. 

XXII. 

THAT  as  often  as  any  Day  of  the  Month 
mentioned  in  any  Article  of  this  Charter, 
shall  fall  upon  the  first  Day  of  the  Week, 
commonly  called  the  Lord's  Day,  the  Busi- 
ness appointed  for  that  Day  shall  be  deferred 
till  the  next  Day,  unless  in  case  of  Emer- 
gency. 

XXIII. 

THAT  no  Act,  Law,  or  Ordinance  whatso- 
ever, shall  at  any  time  hereafter  be  made  or 
done  by  the  Governor  of  this  Province,  his 
Heirs  or  Assigns,  or  by  the  Freemen  in  the 
provincial  Council,  or  the  general  Assembly, 
to  alter,  change  or  diminish  the  Form  or 
Effect  of  this  Charter,  or  any  Part  or  Clause 
thereof,  or  contrary  to  the  true  Intent  and 
812 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Meaning  thereof,  without  the  Consent  of  the 
Governor,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  and  six  Parts 
of  seven  of  the  said  Freemen  in  provincial 
Council  and  general  Assembly. 

XXIV. 

AND  LASTLY,  That  I  the  said  William 
Penn,  for  myself,  my  Heirs,  and  Assigns, 
have  solemnly  declared,  granted,  and  con- 
firmed, and  do  hereby  solemnly  declare,  grant, 
and  confirm,  That  neither  I,  my  Heirs  nor 
Assigns,  shall  procure  or  do  any  Thing  or 
Things,  whereby  the  Liberties  in  this  Char- 
ter contained  and  expressed  shall  be  infringed 
or  broken ;  and  if  any  Thing  be  procured  by 
any  Person  or  Persons  contrary  to  these 
Premisses,  it  shall  be  held  of  no  Force  or 
Effect.  In  WITNESS  whereof,  I  the  said 
William  Penn  have  unto  this  present  Charter 
of  Liberties  set  my  Hand  and  broad  Seal, 
this  five  aud  twentieth  Day  of  the  second 
Month,  vulgarly  called  April,  in  the  Year  oi 
our  LORD  One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  and 
Eighty-two. 

William  Penn. 


313 


THE  I&STORY  OF  THE 


LA  WS  agreed  upon  in  England,  &e. 


THAT  the  Charter  of  Liberties,  declared, 
granted,  and  confirmed  the  five  and 
twentieth  Day  of  the  second  Month,  called 
April,  1682,  before  divers  Witnesses,  by  Wil- 
liam Penn,  Governor  and  chief  Proprietor  of 
Pensilvania,  to  all  the  Freemen  and  Planters 
of  the  said  Province ;  is  hereby  declared  and 
approved,  and  shall  be  for  ever  held  for  Fun- 
damental in  the  Government  thereof,  accord- 
ing to  the  Limitations  mentioned  in  the  said 
Charter. 

II. 

THAT  every  Inhabitant  in  the  said  Prov- 
ince, that  is  or  shall  be  a  Purchaser  of  one 
hundred  Acres  of  Land,  or  upwards,  his 
Heirs  and  Assigns,  and  every  Person  who 
shall  have  paid  his  Passage,  and  taken  up  one 
hundred  Acres  of  Land  at  one  Penny  an  Acre, 
and  have  cultivated  ten  Acres  thereof;  and 
every  Person  that  hath  been  a  Servant  or 
Bondsman,  and  is  free  by  his  Service,  that 
shall  have  taken  up  his  fifty  Acres  of  Land, 
and  cultivated  twenty  thereof;  and  every  In- 
habitant, Artificer,  or  other  Resident  in  the 
said  Province,  that  pays  Scot  and  Lot  to  the 
Government,  shall  be  deemed  and  accounted 
314 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

a  Freeman  of  the  said  Province :  And  every 
such  Person  shall  and  may  be  capable  of 
electing,  or  being  elected  Representatives  of 
the  People  in  provincial  Council  or  general 
Assembly  in  the  said  Province. 

III. 
THAT  all  Elections  of  Members,  or  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  People  and  Preemen  of  the 
Province  of  Pensilvania,  to  serve  in  provin- 
cial Council  or  general  Assembly  to  be  held 
within  the  said  Province,  shall  be  free  and 
voluntary:  And  that  the  Elector,  that  shall 
receive  any  Reward  or  Gift,  in  Meat,  Drink, 
Monies,  or  otherwise,  shall  forfeit  his  Right 
to  elect ;  and  such  Person  as  shall  directly  or 
indirectly  give,  promise,  or  bestow  any  such 
Reward  as  aforesaid,  to  be  elected,  shall  for- 
feit his  Election,  and  be  thereby  incapable  to 
serve  as  aforesaid:  And  the  provincial  Coun- 
cil and  general  Assembly  shall  be  the  sole 
Judges  of  the  Regularity  or  Irregularity  of 
the  Elections  of  their  own  respective  Mem- 
bers. 

IV. 

THAT  no  Money  or  Goods  shall  be  raised 
upon,  or  paid  by  any  of  the  People  of  this 
Province  by  way  of  publick  Tax,  Custom,  or 
Contribution,  but  by  a  Law  for  that  Purpose 
made;  and  whosoever  shall  levy,  collect,  or 
pay  any  Money  or  Goods  contrary  thereunto, 
315 


THE  £ISTORY  OF  THE 

shall  be  held  a  publick  Enemy  to  the  Prov- 
ince, and  a  Betrayer  of  the  Liberties  of  the 
People  thereof. 

V. 

THAT  all  Courts  shall  be  open,  and  Jus- 
tice shall  neither  be  sold,  denied,  nor  de- 
layed. 

VI. 

THAT  in  all  Courts,  all  Persons  of  all 
Persuasions  may  freely  appear  in  their  own 
Way,  and  according  to  their  own  Manner, 
and  there  personally  plead  their  own  Cause 
themselves;  or  if  unable,  by  their  Friend: 
And  the  first  Process  shall  be  the  Exhibition 
of  the  Complaint  in  Court,  fourteen  Days 
before  the  Trial ;  and  that  the  Party  com- 
plained against  may  be  fitted  for  the  same,  he 
or  she  shall  be  summoned,  no  less  than  ten 
Days  before,  and  a  Copy  of  the  Complaint 
delivered  him  or  her,  at  his  or  her  Dwelling- 
house.  But  before  the  Complaint  of  any  Per- 
son be  received,  he  shall  solemnly  declare  in 
Court,  That  he  believes  in  his  Conscience  his 
Cause  is  just. 

VII. 

THAT  all  Pleadings,  Processes,  and  Kec- 
ords  in  Court  shall  be  short,  and  in  English, 
and  in  an  ordinary  and  plain  Character,  that 
they  may  be  understood,  and  Justice  speed- 
ily administered. 

816 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

VIII. 
THAT  all  Trials  shall  be  by  twelve  Men, 
and  as  near  as  may  be,  Peers  or  Equals,  and 
of  the  Neighbourhood,  and  Men  without  just 
Exception  in  Cases  of  Life,  there  shall  be 
first  twenty-four  returned  by  the  Sheriffs  for 
a  Grand  Inquest,  of  whom  twelve  at  least 
shall  find  the  Complaint  to  be  true ;  and  then 
the  twelve  Men,  or  Peers,  to  be  likewise  re- 
turned by  Ike  Sheriff,  shall  have  the  final  Judg- 
ment. But  reasonable  Challenges  shall  be 
always  admitted  against  the  said  twelve  Men, 
or  any  of  them. 

IX. 

THAT  all  Fees  in  all  Cases  shall  be  mod- 
erate, and  settled  by  the  provincial  Council 
and  general  Assembly,  and  be  hung  up  in  a 
Table  in  every  respective  Court ;  and  whoso- 
ever shall  be  convicted  of  taking  more,  shall 
pay  two-fold,  and  be  dismissed  his  Employ- 
ment, one  Moiety  of  which  shall  go  to  the 
Party  wronged. 

X. 

THAT  all  Prisons  shall  be  Work-houses 
for  Felons,  Vagrants,  and  loose  and  idle  Per- 
sons ;  whereof  one  shall  be  in  every  County. 

XI. 
THAT    all    Prisoners   shall    be    bailable 
by    sufficient    Sureties,    unless    for    capital 
317 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Offences,  where   the   Proof   is   evident,   or 
the  Presumption  great. 

XII. 

THAT  all  Persons  wrongfully  imprisoned 
or  prosecuted  at  Law,  shall  have  double  Dam- 
ages against  the  Informer  or  Prosecutor. 

XIII. 

THAT  all  Prisons  shall  be  free  as  to  Fees, 
Food,  and  Lodging. 

XIV. 

THAT  all  Lands  and  Goods  shall  be  liable 
to  pay  Debts,  except  where  there  is  legal 
Issue,  and  then  all  the  Goods,  and  one  third 
of  the  Land  only. 

XV. 

THAT  all  Wills  in  Writing  attested  by 
two  Witnesses,  shall  be  of  the  same  Force,  as 
to  Lands,  as  other  Conveyances,  being  legally 
proved  within  forty  Days,  either  within  or 
without  the  said  Province. 

XVI. 

THAT  seven  Years'  quiet  Possession  shall 
give  an  unquestionable  Right,  except  in  Cases 
of  Infants,   Lunaticks,  married  Women,  or 
Persons  beyond  the  Seas. 
318 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

XVII. 

THAT  all  Briberies  and  Extortions  what- 
soever, shall  be  severely  punished. 

XVIII. 

THAT  all  Fines  shall  be  moderate,  and 
saving  Mens  Contenements,  Merchandize,  or 
Wainage. 

XIX. 

THAT  all  Marriages  (not  forbidden  by  the 
Law  of  God,  as  to  Nearness  of  Blood  and 
Affinity  by  Marriage)  shall  be  encouraged; 
but  the  Parents  or  Guardians  shall  be  first 
consulted,  and  the  Marriage  shall  be  pub- 
lished before  it  be  solemnized ;  and  it  shall  be 
solemnized  by  taking  one  another  as  Hus- 
band and  Wife,  before  credible  Witnesses, 
and  a  Certificate  of  the  whole,  under  the 
Hands  of  Parties  and  Witnesses,  shall  be 
brought  to  the  proper  Register  of  that  Coun- 
ty, and  shall  be  registred  in  his  Office. 

XX. 

AND  to  prevent  Frauds  and  vexatious 
Suits  within  the  said  Province,  that  all  Char- 
ters, Gifts,  Grants,  and  Conveyances  of  Land, 
(except  Leases  for  a  Year  or  under)  and  all 
Bills,  Bonds,  and  Specialties  above  five 
Pounds,  and  not  under  three  Months,  made 
319 


TH^  HISTORY  OF  THE 

in  the  said  Province,  shall  be  enrolled  or 
registred  in  the  publick  Enrolment-Office  of 
the  said  Province,  within  the  Space  of  two 
Months  next  after  the  Making  thereof,  else 
to  be  void  in  Law.  And  all  Deeds,  Grants, 
and  Conveyances  of  Land  (except  as  afore- 
said) within  the  said  Province,  and  made  out 
of  the  said  Province,  shall  be  enrolled  or  reg- 
istred as  aforesaid,  within  six  Months  next 
after  the  Making  thereof,  and  settling  and 
constituting  an  Enrolment-Office  or  Registry 
within  the  said  Province,  else  to  be  void  in 
Law  against  all  Persons  whatsoever. 

XXL 

THAT  all  Defacers  or  Corrupters  of  Char- 
ters, Gifts,  Grants,  Bonds,  Bills,  Wills,  Con- 
tracts, and  Conveyances,  or  that  shall  deface 
or  falsify  any  Enrolment,  Registry  or  Record 
within  this  Province,  shall  make  double  Sat- 
isfaction for  the  same ;  half  whereof  shall  go 
to  the  Party  wronged,  and  they  shall  be  dis- 
missed of  all  Places  of  Trust,  and  be  pub- 
lickly  disgraced  as  false  Men. 

XXII. 

THAT  there  shall  be  a  Register  for  Births, 
Marriages,  Burials,  Wills,  and  Letters  of 
Administration,  distinct  from  the  other  Reg- 
istry. 

S30 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c 

XXIII. 

THAT  there  shall  be  a  Kegister  for  all  Ser- 
vants, where  their  Names,  Time,  Wages,  and 
Days  of  Payment  shall  be  registred. 

XXIV. 

THAT  all  Lands  and  Goods  of  Felons 
shall  be  liable  to  make  Satisfaction  to  the 
Party  wronged  twice  the  Value;  and  for 
Want  of  Lands  or  Goods,  the  Felons  shall 
be  Bondmen  to  work  in  the  common  Prison 
or  Work-house,  or  otherwise,  till  the  Party 
injured  be  satisfied. 

XXV. 

THAT  the  Estates  of  capital  Offenders,  as 
Traitors  and  Murderers,  shall  go  one  third  to 
the  next  of  kin  to  the  Sufferer,  and  the  Be- 
mainder  to  the  next  of  kin  to  the  Criminal. 

XXVI. 

THAT  all  Witnesses,  coming  or  called  to 
testify  their  Knowledge  in  or  to  any  Matter 
or  Thing  in  any  Court,  or  before  any  lawful 
Authority  within  the  said  Province,  shall 
there  give  or  deliver  in  their  Evidence  or 
Testimony  by  solemnly  promising  to  speak 
the  Truth,  the  whole  Truth,  and  nothing  but 
the  Truth,  to  the  Matter  or  Thing  in  Ques- 
Vol.  IL— 21  321 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

tion.  And  in  case  any  Person  so  called  to 
Evidence,  shall  be  convicted  of  wilful  Fals- 
hood,  such  Person  shall  suffer  and  undergo 
such  Damage  or  Penalty,  as  the  Person  or 
Persons  against  whom  he  or  she  bore  false 
Witness,  did  or  should  undergo;  and  shall 
also  make  Satisfaction  to  the  Party  wronged, 
and  be  publickly  exposed  as  a  false  Witness, 
never  to  be  credited  in  any  Court,  or  before 
any  Magistrate  in  the  said  Province. 

XXVII. 

AND  to  the  end  that  all  Officers  chosen  to 
serve  within  this  Province  may  with  more 
Care  and  Diligence  answer  the  Trust  reposed 
in  them,  it  is  agreed,  That  no  such  Person 
shall  enjoy  more  than  one  publick  Office  at 
one  Time. 

XXVIII. 

THAT  all  Children  within  this  Province 
of  the  Age  of  twelve  Years>  shall  be  taught 
some  useful  Trade  or  Skill,  to  the  end  none 
may  be  idle,  but  the  Poor  may  work  to  live, 
and  the  Eich,  if  they  become  poor,  may  not 

want. 

XXIX. 

THAT  Servants  be  not  kept  longer  than 
their  Time,  and  such  as  are  careful,  be  both 
justly  and  kindly  used  in  their  Service,  and 
put  in  fitting  Equipage  at  the  Expiration 
thereof,  according  to  Custom. 
322 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

XXX. 

THAT  all  scandalous  and  malicious  Ke- 
porters,  Backbiters,  Defamers,  and  Spreaders 
of  false  News,  whether  against  Magistrates 
or  private  Persons,  shall  be  accordingly  se- 
verely punished,  as  Enemies  to  the  Peace 
and  Concord  of  this  Province. 

XXXI. 
THAT  for  the  Encouragement  of  the 
Planters  and  Traders  in  this  Province,  who 
are  incorporated  into  a  Society,  the  Patent 
granted  to  them  by  William  Penn,  Governor 
of  the  said  Province,  is  hereby  ratified  and 
confirmed. 

XXXII. 


XXXIII. 

THAT  all  Factors  or  Correspondents  in 
the  said  Province,  wronging  their  Employers, 
shall  make  Satisfaction  and  one  third  over, 
to  their  said  Employers :  And  in  case  of  the 
Death  of  any  such  Factor  or  Correspondent, 
the  Committee  of  Trade  shall  take  care  to 
secure  so  much  of  the  deceased  Party's  Es- 
tate, as  belongs  to  his  said  respective  Em- 
ployers. 

323 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


XXXIV. 

THAT  all  Treasurers,  Judges,  Masters  of 
ihe  Rolls,  Sheriffs,  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
and  other  Officers  and  Persons  whatsoever* 
relating  to  Courts  or  Trials  of  Causes,  or  any 
other  Service  in  the  Government;  and  all 
Members  elected  to  serve  in  provincial  Coun- 
cil and  general  Assembly,  and  all  that  have 
Eight  to  elect  such  Members,  shall  be  such 
as  profess  Faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  that 
are  not  convicted  of  ill  Fame,  or  unsober  and 
dishonest  Conversation,  and  that  are  of 
twenty-one  Years  of  Age  at  least;  and  that 
all  such  so  qualified,  shall  be  capable  of  the 
said  several  Employments  and  Privileges  as 
aforesaid. 

XXXV. 

THAT  all  Persons  living  in  this  Province, 
who  confess  and  acknowledge  the  one  Al- 
mighty and  Eternal  God,  to  be  the  Creator, 
Upholder  and  Ruler  of  the  World ;  and  that 
hold  themselves  obliged  in  Conscience  to  live 
peaceably  and  justly  in  civil  Society,  shall  in 
no  Ways  be  molested  or  prejudiced  for  their 
religious  Persuasion  or  Practice  in  Matters  of 
Faith  and  Worship,  nor  shall  they  be  com- 
pelPd  at  any  Time  to  frequent  or  maintain 
any  religious  Worship,  Place  or  Ministry 
whatever. 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


XXXVI. 

THAT  according  to  the  good  Example  of 
the  primitive  Christians,  and  the  Ease  of  the 
Creation,  every  first  Day  of  the  Week,  called 
the  Lord's  Day,  People  shall  abstain  from 
their  common  daily  Labour,  that  they  may 
the  better  dispose  themselves  to  worship 
God  according  to  their  Understandings. 

XXXVII. 

THAT  as  a  careless  and  corrupt  Adminis- 
tration of  Justice  draws  the  Wrath  of  God 
upon  Magistrates,  so  the  Wildness  and  Loose- 
ness of  the  People  provoke  the  Indignation  of 
God  against  a  Country :  Therefore,  That  all 
such  Offences  against  God,  as  Swearing, 
Cursing,  Lying,  prophane  Talking,  Drunken- 
ness, Drinking  of  Healths,  obscene  Words, 
Incest,  Sodomy,  Eapes,  Whoredom,  Fornica- 
tion, and  other  Uncleanness  (not  to  be  re- 
peated), all  Treasons,  Misprisons,  Murders, 
Duels,  Felony,  Sedition,  Maims,  forcible 
Entries,  and  other  Violences,  to  the  Persons 
and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  within  this 
Province.  All  Prizes,  Stage-plays,  Cards, 
Dice,  Maygames,  Gamesters,  Masques,  Bev- 
els, Bull-baitings,  Cock-fightings,  Bear- 
baitings,  and  the  like,  which  excite  the  Peo- 
ple to  Rudeness,  Cruelty,  Looseness,  and 
825 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Irreligion,  shall  be  respectively  discouraged 
and  severely  punish'd,  according  to  the  Ap- 
pointment of  the  Governor  and  Freemen  in 
provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly ;  as 
also  all  Proceedings  contrary  to  these  Laws, 
that  are  not  here  made  expressly  penal. 

XXXVIII. 

THAT  a  Copy  of  these  Laws  shall  be 
hung  up  in  the  provincial  Council,  and  in 
publick  Courts  of  Justice:  And  that  they 
shall  be  read  yearly  at  the  Opening  of  every 
provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly,  and 
Court  of  Justice ;  and  their  Assent  shall  be 
testified,  by  their  standing  up  after  the  Bead- 
ing thereof. 

XXXIX. 

THAT  there  shall  be  at  no  time  any  Alter- 
ation of  any  of  these  Laws,  without  the  Con- 
sent of  the  Governor,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns, 
and  six  Parts  of  seven  of  the  Freemen,  met 
in  provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly. 

XL. 

THAT  all  other  Matters  and  Things  not 
herein  provided  for,  which  shall  and  may  con- 
cern the  publick  Justice,  Peace  or  Safety  of 
the  said  Province ;  and  the  raising  and  impos- 
ing Taxes,  Customs,  Duties,  or  other  Charges 
whatsoever,  shall  be  and  are  hereby  referred 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

to  the  Order,  Prudence  and  Determination 
of  the  Governor  and  Freemen  in  provincial 
Council  and  general  Assembly,  to  be  held 
from  time  to  time  in  the  said  Province. 

Signed  and  Sealed  by  the  Governor  and 
Freemen  aforesaid,  the  fifth  Day  of 
the  third  Month,  called  May,  One 
Thousand  Six  Hundred  and  Eighty- 
Two. 


Certain  Conditions  or  Concessions  agreed  upon 
by  William  Penn,  Proprietor  and  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Province  of  Pensilvania,  and 
those  who  are  the  Adventurers  and  Pur- 
chasers in  the  same  Province,  the  Eleventh 
of  July,  One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  and 
Eighty-one. 

FIRST. 

THAT  so  soon  as  it  pleaseth  God,  that 
the  abovesaid  Persons  arrive  there,  a 
certain  Quantity  of  Land  or  Ground  Plat, 
shall  be  laid  out  for  a  large  Town  or  City,  in 
the  most  convenient  Place  upon  the  River  for 
Health  and  Navigation ;  and  every  Purchaser 
and  Adventurer,  shall  by  Lot  have  so  much 
Land  therein  as  will  answer  to  the  Porportion 
which  he  hath  bought  or  taken  up  upon  Rent : 
But  it  is  to  be  noted,  that  the  Surveyors  shall 
327 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

consider  what  Roads  or  Highways  will  be 
necessary  to  the  Cities,  Towns,  or  thro'  the 
Lands.  Great  Roads  from  City  to  City  shall 
not  contain  less  than  forty  Foot  in  Breadth, 
and  shall  be  first  laid  out  and  declared  to  be 
for  Highways,  before  the  Dividend  of  Acres 
be  laid  out  for  the  Purchaser ;  and  the  like 
Observation  to  be  had  for  the  Streets  in  the 
Towns  and  Cities,  that  there  may  be  conve- 
nient Roads  and  Streets  preserved,  not  to  be 
incroached  upon  by  any  Planter  or  Builder, 
that  none  may  build  irregularly  to  the  Dam- 
age of  another.     In  this,  Custom  governs. 

n. 

THAT  the  Land  in  the  Town  be  laid  out 
together  after  the  Proportion  of  ten  thousand 
Acres  of  the  whole  Country,  that  is,  two 
hundred  Acres  if  the  Place  will  bear  it :  How- 
ever, that  the  Proportion  be  by  Lot,  and  en- 
tire, so  as  those  that  desire  to  be  together, 
especially  those  that  are  by  the  Catalogue 
laid  together,  may  be  so  laid  together  both  in 
the  Town  and  Country. 

in. 

THAT  when  the  Country-Lots  are  laid  out, 

every  Purchaser,  from  one  thousand  to  ten 

thousand  Acres,  or  more,  not  to  have  above 

one  thousand  Acres  together,  unless  in  three 

328 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Years  they  plant  a  Family  upon  every  thou- 
sand Acres ;  but  that  all  such  as  purchase  to- 
gether, lie  together ;  and  if  as  many  as  com- 
ply with  this  Condition,  that  the  whole  be 
laid  out  together. 

IV. 
THAT  where  any  Number  of  Purchasers, 
more  or  less,  whose  Number  of  Acres 
amounts  to  five  or  ten  thousand  Acres,  desire 
to  sit  together  in  a  Lot  or  Township,  they 
shall  have  their  Lot  or  Township  cast  to- 
gether, in  such  Places  as  have  convenient 
Harbours  or  navigable  Rivers  attending  it, 
if  such  can  be  found ;  and  in  case  any  one  or 
more  Purchasers  plant  not  according  to 
Agreement  in  this  Concession,  to  the  Preju- 
dice of  others  of  the  same  Township,  upon 
Complaint  thereof  made  to  the  Governor  or 
his  Deputy,  with  Assistance,  they  may  award 
(if  they  see  Cause)  that  the  complaining  Pur- 
chaser may,  paying  the  Survey-Money,  and 
Purchase -Money,  and  Interest  thereof,  be 
entitled,  inrolled  and  lawfully  invested  in 
the  Lands  so  not  seated. 

V. 

THAT  the  Proportion  of  Lands  that  shall 
be  laid  out  in  the  first  great  Town  or  City, 
for  every  Purchaser,  shall  be  after  the  Pro- 
portion of  ten  Acres  for  every  five  hundred 
Acres  purchased,  if  the  Place  will  allow  it. 
329 


THE  H1BT0RY  OF  THE 

VI. 
THAT  notwithstanding  there  be  no  men- 
tion made,  in  the  several  Deeds  made  to  the 
Purchasers,  yet  the  said  William  Penn  does 
accord  and  declare,  that  all  Eivers,  Rivulets, 
Woods  and  Underwoods,  Waters,  Water- 
courses, Quarries,  Mines  and  Minerals  (except 
Mines  Royal)  shall  be  freely  and  fully  en- 
joyed, and  wholly  by  the  Purchasers,  into 
whose  Lot  they  fall. 

VII. 

THAT  for  every  fifty  Acres  that  shall  be 
allotted  to  a  Servant  at  the  End  of  his  Ser- 
vice, his  Quit-Rent  shall  be  two  Shillings  per 
Annum,  and  the  Master  or  Owner  of  the  Ser- 
vant, when  he  shall  take  up  the  other  fifty 
Acres,  his  Quit-Rent  shall  be  four  Shillings 
by  the  Year,  or  if  the  Master  of  the  Servant 
(by  Reason  in  the  Indentures  he  is  so  obliged 
to  do)  allot  out  to  the  Servant  fifty  Acres  in 
his  own  Division,  the  said  Master  shall  have 
on  Demand  allotted  him,  from  the  Governor, 
the  one  hundred  Acres  at  the  chief  Rent  of 
six  Shillings  per  Annum. 

VIII. 

AND  for  the  Encouragement  of  such  as 
are  ingenious  and  willing  to  search  out  Gold 
and  Silver  Mines  in  this  Province,  it  is  here- 
330 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

by  agreed,  that  they  have  Liberty  to  bore  and 
dig  in  any  Man's  Property,  fully  paying  the 
Damage  done ;  and  in  case  a  Discovery  should 
be  made,  that  the  Discoverer  have  one  fifth, 
the  Owner  of  the  Soil  (if  not  the  Discoverer) 
a  tenth  Part,  the  Governor  two  fifths,  and 
the  rest  to  the  publick  Treasury,  saving  to 
the  King  the  Share  reserved  by  Patent. 

IX. 
IN    every  hundred  thousand  Acres,  the 
Governor  and  Proprietary,  by  Lot,  reserveth 
ten  to  himself,  what  shall  lie  but   in  one 
Place. 

X. 

THAT  every  Man  shall  be  bound  to  plant 
or  man  so  much  of  his  Share  of  Land  as  shall 
be  set  out  and  surveyed,  within  three  Years 
after  it  is  so  set  out  and  surveyed,  or  else  it 
shall  be  lawful  for  new  Comers  to  be  settled 
thereupon,  paying  to  them  their  Survey-Mon- 
ey, and  they  go  up  higher  for  their  Shares. 

XL 
THERE  shall  be  no  buying  and  selling,  be 
it  with  an  Indian,  or  one  among  another,  of 
any  Goods  to  be  exported,  but  what  shall  be 
performed  in  publick  Market,  when  such 
Places  shall  be  set  apart  or  erected,  where 
they  shall  pass  the  publick  Stamp  or  Mark. 
If  bad  Ware,  and  prized  as  good,  or  deceitful 
831 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

in  Proportion  or  Weight,  to  forfeit  the  Value 
as  of  good  and  full  Weight  and  Proportion, 
to  the  publick  Treasury  of  the  Province, 
whether  it  be  the  Merchandize  of  the  Indian, 
or  that  of  the  Planters. 

XII. 
AND  FOKASMUCH  as  it  is  usual  with 
the  Planters,  to  over-reach  the  poor  Natives 
of  the  Country  in  Trade,  by  Goods  not  being 
good  of  the  Kind,  or  debased  with  Mixtures, 
with  which  they  are  sensibly  aggrieved,  it  is 
agreed,  whatever  is  sold  to  the  Indians,  in 
Consideration  of  their  Furs,  shall  be  sold  in 
the  Market-Place,  and  there  suffer  the  Test, 
whether  good  or  bad ;  if  good,  to  pass ;  if  not 
good,  not  to  be  sold  for  good,  that  the  Na- 
tives may  not  be  abused  nor  provoked. 

XIII. 
THAT  no  Man  shall  by  any  Ways  or 
Means,  in  Word  or  Deed,  affront  or  wrong 
any  Indian,  but  he  shall  incur  the  same  Pen- 
alty of  the  Law,  as  if  he  had  committed  it 
against  his  Fellow-Planter;  and  if  any  In- 
dian shall  abuse,  in  Word  or  Deed,  any  Plan- 
ter of  this  Province,  that  he  shall  not  be  his 
own  Judge  upon  the  Indian,  but  he  shall 
make  his  Complaint  to  the  Governor  of  the 
Province,  or  his  Lieutenant  or  Deputy,  or 
some  inferior  Magistrate  near  him,  who  shall, 
332 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

to  the  utmost  of  his  Power,  take  Care  with 
the  King  of  the  said  Indian,  that  all  reasona- 
ble Satisfaction  be  made  to  the  said  injured 
Planter. 

XIV. 

THAT  all  Differences  between  the  Plan- 
ters and  the  Natives,  shall  also  be  ended  by 
twelve  Men,  that  is,  by  six  Planters  and  six 
Natives,  that  so  we  may  live  friendly  together 
as  much  as  in  us  lieth,  preventing  all  Occa- 
sions of  Heart-burnings  and  Mischief. 

XV. 
THAT  the  Indians  shall  have  Liberty  to 
do  all  Things  relating  to  the  Improvement  of 
their  Ground,  and  providing  Sustenance  for 
their  Families,  that  any  of  the  Planters  shall 
enjoy. 

XVI. 

THAT  the  Laws  as  to  Slanders,  Drunken- 
ness, Swearing,  Cursing,  Pride  in  Apparel, 
Trespasses,  Distresses,  Keplevins,  Weights 
and  Measures,  shall  be  the  same  as  in  Eng- 
land, till  altered  by  Law  in  this  Province. 

XVII. 
THAT  all  shall  mark  their  Hogs,  Sheep 
and  other  Cattle,  and  what  are  not  marked 
within  three  Months  after  it  is  in  their  Pos- 
session, be  it  young  or  old,  it  shall  be  for- 
feited to  the  Governor,  that  so  People  may  be 
333 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

compelled  to  avoid  the  Occasions  of  much 
Strife  between  Planters. 

XVIII. 
THAT  in  clearing  the  Ground,  Care  be 
taken  to  leave  one  Acre  of  Trees  for  every 
five  Acres  clear  d,  especially  to  preserve  Oak 
and  Mulberries  for  Silk  and  Shipping. 

XIX. 
THAT  all  Ship-Masters  shall  give  an  Ac- 
count of  their  Countries,  Names,  Ships,  Own- 
ers, Freights  and  Passengers,  to  an  Officer  to 
be  appointed  for  that  Purpose,  which  shall  be 
registred  within  two  Days  after  their  Arrival ; 
and  if  they  shall  refuse  so  to  do,  that  then 
none  presume  to  trade  with  them,  upon  For- 
feiture thereof;  and  that  such  Masters  be 
looked  upon,  as  having  an  evil  Intention  to 

the  Province. 

XX. 

THAT  no  Person  leave  the  Province,  with- 
out Publication  being  made  thereof,  in  the 
Market-Place,  three  Weeks  before,  and  a  Cer- 
tificate from  some  Justice  of  the  Peace,  of  his 
Clearness  with  his  Neighbours,  and  those  he 
hath  dealt  withal,  so  far  as  such  an  Assur- 
ance can  be  attained  and  given :  And  if  any 
Master  of  a  Ship  shall,  contrary  hereunto, 
receive  and  carry  away  any  Person,  that  hath 
not  given  that  publick  Notice,  the  said  Mas- 
334 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ter  shall  be  liable  to  all  Debts  owing  by  the 
said  Person,  so  secretly  transported  from  the 
Province.  Lastly,  that  these  are  to  be  added 
to,  or  corrected,  by  and  with  the  Consent  of 
the  Parties  hereunto  subscribed. 

William  Penn. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in 
the  Presence  of 
William  Boelham, 
Harbert  Springet, 
Thomas  Prudyard. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  Presence  of 
all  the  Proprietors  who  have  hereunto 
subscribed,  except  Thomas  Farrinbor- 
rough  and  John  Goodson,  in  the  Pres- 
ence of 

Hugh  Chamberlen,  William  Powel, 
R.  Murray,  Richard  Davie, 

Harbert  Springet,    Griffith  Jones, 
Humphry  South,      Hugh  Lambe, 
Thomas  Barker,       Thomas  Farrinborrough, 
Samuel  Jobson,        John  Goodson. 
John-Joseph  Moore, 


An  ACT  of  Settlement,  made  at  Chester,  1682. 

WHEREAS    William    Penn,   Proprie- 
tary and  Governor  of  the  Province 
of  Pensylvania,  and  Territories  thereunto  be- 
longing, hath,  out  of  his  great  Kindness  and 
335 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Goodness  to  the  Inhabitants  thereof,  been  fa- 
vourably pleased  to  give  and  grant  unto  them 
a  Charter  of  Liberties  and  Privileges,  dated 
the  twenty-fifth  Day  of  the  second  Month, 
One  Thousand  Six  Hundred  and  Eighty-two : 
By  which  Charter  it  is  said,  the  Government 
shall  consist  of  the  Governor  and  Freemen  of 
the  said  Province,  in  the  Form  of  a  provin- 
cial Council  and  general  Assembly ;  and  that 
the  provincial  Council  shall  consist  of  sev- 
enty-two Members,  to  be  chosen  by  the  Free- 
men; and  that  the  general  Assembly  may, 
the  first  Year,  consist  of  the  whole  Body  of 
the  Freeholders,  and  ever  after  of  an  elected 
Number,  not  exceeding  two  hundred  Persons, 
without  the  Consent  of  the  provincial  Coun- 
cil and  general  Assembly :  And  such  Assem- 
bly to  sit  yearly  on  the  twentieth  Day  of  the 
third  Month,  as  in  the  first,  second,  third, 
sixth,  fourteenth  and  sixteenth  Articles  of 
the  Charter,  Reference  being  thereunto  had, 
doth  more  at  large  appear. 

AND  FORASMUCH  as  this  Charter  was 
the  first  of  those  probationary  Laws,  that 
were  agreed  to  and  made  by  and  between  the 
Proprietary,  and  Governor,  and  Freemen  in 
England,  that  were  Purchasers  in  this  Prov- 
ince, which  said  Laws,  in  the  whole  and  in 
every  Part  thereof,  were  to  be  submitted  to 
the  Explanation  and  Confirmation  of  the  first 
provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly 
336 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

that  was  to  be  held  in  this  Province,  as  by 
the  Title  and  first  Law  of  the  said  Agree- 
ment, doth  plainly  appear. 

AND  WHEREAS,  the  Proprietary  and 
Governor  hath,  according  to  that  Charter, 
issued  out  Writs  to  the  respective  Sheriffs  of 
the  six  Counties  of  this  Province,  to  summon 
the  Freemen  thereof,  to  chuse  in  each  County 
twelve  Persons  of  most  Note  for  their  So- 
briety, Wisdom,  and  Integrity,  to  serve  in 
provincial  Council;  and  also  to  inform  the 
Freemen  that  they  might  come,  for  this  Time, 
in  their  own  Persons,  to  make  up  a  general 
Assembly,  according  to  Charter.  And  that 
the  said  respective  Sheriffs  by  their  Returns, 
and  the  Freemen  by  their  Petitions  to  the 
Proprietary  and  Governor,  have  plainly  de- 
clared, that  the  Fewness  of  the  People,  their 
Inability  in  Estate,  and  Unskilfulness  in 
Matters  of  Government,  will  not  permit  them 
to  serve  in  so  large  a  Council  and  Assembly, 
as  by  the  Charter  is  expressed ;  and  therefore 
do  desire,  that  the  Members  now  chosen  to 
be  their  Deputies  and  Representatives,  may 
serve  both  for  provincial  Council  and  general 
Assembly ;  that  is  to  say,  three  out  of  each 
County  for  the  provincial  Council,  and  the 
remaining  nine  for  the  general  Assembly, 
according  to  Act,  as  fully  and  amply  as  if 
the  said  provincial  Council  and  general  As- 
sembly had  consisted  of  the  said  Numbers  of 
Vol.  II.—  22  337 


TH3  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Members  mentioned  in  the  Charter  of  Liber- 
ties, upon  Consideration  of  the  Premises ;  and 
that  the  Proprietary  and  Governor  may  testi- 
fy his  great  Willingness  to  comply  with  that 
which  may  be  most  easy  and  pleasing,  he  is 
willing  that  it  be  enacted. 

AND  BE  IT  ENACTED  by  the  Propri- 
etary and  Governor,  by  and  with  the  unani- 
mous Advice  and  Consent  of  the  Freemen  of 
this  Province,  and  Territories  thereunto  be- 
longing, in  provincial  Council  and  general 
Assembly  met,  That  the  Numbers  desired  by 
the  Inhabitants  in  their  several  Petitions,  and 
express' d  to  be  their  Desires  by  the  Sheriffs' 
Returns  to  the  Proprietary  and  Governor,  to 
serve  as  the  provincial  Council  and  general 
Assembly,  be  allowed  and  taken,  to  all  In- 
tents and  Purposes,  to  be  the  provincial 
Council  and  general  Assembly  of  this  Prov- 
ince :  And  that  the  Quorum  shall  be  propor- 
tion ably  settled,  according  to  the  Method  ex- 
press'd  in  the  fifth  Article;  that  is  to  say, 
two  thirds  to  make  a  Quorum  in  extraordi- 
nary Cases,  and  one  third  in  ordinary  Cases, 
as  is  provided  in  the  said  Article :  Which  said 
provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly,  so 
already  chosen,  are  and  shall  be  held  and  re- 
puted the  legal  provincial  Council  and  gene- 
ral Assembly  of  the  Province  and  Territories 
thereof,  for  this  present  Year ;  and  that  from 
and  after  the  Expiration  of  this  present  Year, 
338 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

the  provincial  Council  shall  consist  of  three 
Persons  out  of  each  County,  as  aforesaid ;  and 
the  Assembly  shall  consist  of  six  Persons  out 
of  each  County,  which  said  provincial  Coun- 
cil and  general  Assembly  may  be  hereafter 
enlarged,  as  the  Governor  and  provincial 
Council  and  Assembly  shall  see  Cause,  so  as 
the  said  Number  do  not,  at  any  time,  exceed 
the  Limitations  express' d  in  the  third  and 
sixteenth  Article  of  the  Charter,  any  Thing 
in  this  Act,  or  any  other  Act,  Charter  or 
Law,  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise  notwith- 
standing. 

AND  because  the  Freemen  of  this  Prov- 
ince and  Territories  thereof,  are  deeply  sensi- 
ble of  the  kind  and  good  Intentions  of  the 
Proprietary  and  Governor  in  this  Charter,  and 
of  the  singular  Benefit  that  redounds  to  them 
thereby,  and  are  desirous  that  it  may  in  all 
Things  best  answer  the  Design  of  the  publick 
Good,  the  Freemen  of  the  said  provincial 
Council  and  general  Assembly  met,  having 
unanimously  requested  some  Variations,  Ex- 
planations and  Additions,  in  and  to  the  said 
Charter,  he  the  Proprietary  and  Governor, 
hath  therefore  yielded  that  it  be  enacted : 

AND  it  is  hereby  ENACTED,  That  the 
Time  for  the  Meeting  of  the  Freemen  of  this 
Province  and  Territories  thereof,  to  chuse 
their  Deputies  to  represent  and  serve  them, 
in  provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly, 
339 


TE^E  HISTORY  OF  THE 

shall  be  yearly  hereafter,  on  the  tenth  Day 
of  the  first  Month,  which  Members  so  chosen 
for  the  provincial  Council,  shall  make  their 
Appearance,  and  give  their  Attendance,  in 
provincial  Council,  within  twenty  Days  after 
their  Election ;  and  the  said  Members  elected 
to  serve  in  general  Assembly,  shall  yearly 
meet  and  assemble,  on  the  tenth  Day  of  the 
said  third  Month,  to  the  End  and  Purposes 
declared  in  the  Charter,  at  and  in  such  Place 
as  is  limited  in  the  said  Charter,  unless  the 
Governor  and  provincial  Council  shall,  at 
any  time,  see  Cause  to  the  contrary. 

AND  WHEREAS  it  is  express' d  in  the 
said  Charter,  That  the  Governor  and  provin- 
cial Council  shall  prepare  and  propose  to  the 
general  Assembly,  all  Bills  which  they  shall 
think  fit  to  pass  into  Laws,  within  the  said 
Province:  BE  IT  ENACTED  by  the  Au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  the  Governor  and 
provincial  Council,  shall  have  the  Power  of 
preparing  and  proposing  to  the  general  As- 
sembly, all  Bills  that  they  shall  jointly  as- 
sent to  and  think  fit  to  have  pass'd  into 
Laws,  in  the  said  Province  and  Territories 
thereof,  that  are  not  inconsistent  with,  but 
according  to  the  Powers  granted  by  the 
King's  Letters  Patents  to  the  Proprietary  and 
Governor  aforesaid;  which  Bills  shall  be 
published  in  the  most  noted  Towns  and  Places 
in  the  said  Province  and  Territories  thereof, 
340 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

twenty  Days  before  the  Meeting  of  the  gene- 
ral Assembly  aforesaid. 

AND  for  the  better  Decision  and  Determi- 
nation of  all  Matters  and  Questions  upon 
Elections  of  Kepresentatives,  and  Debates  in 
provincial  Council  and  general  Assembly,  It 
is  hereby  declared  and  ENACTED,  &c.  That 
all  Questions  upon  Elections  of  Kepresenta- 
tives, and  Debates  in  provincial  Council  and 
general  Assembly,  in  personal  Matters,  shall 
be  decided  by  the  Ballot ;  and  all  Questions 
about  preparing  and  enacting  Laws,  shall  be 
determined  by  the  Vote. 

AND  that  so  united  an  Interest  may  have 
an  united  Term  and  Stile  to  be  express' d  by, 
It  is  hereby  declared  and  ENACTED,  That 
the  general  Assembly  shall  be  henceforth 
termed  or  called  the  Assembly;  and  the 
Meeting  of  the  Governor,  provincial  Council, 
and  Assembly,  and  their  Acts  and  Proceed 
ings  shall  be  stiled  and  called  the  Meetings, 
Sessions,  Acts  or  Proceedings  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Pensilva- 
nia,  and  the  Territories  thereunto  belonging. 
And  that  the  Freemen  of  this  Province,  and 
the  Territories  thereof,  may  not  on  their  Part, 
seem  unmindful  or  ungrateful  to  their  Pro- 
prietary and  Governor,  for  the  Testimony  he 
hath  been  pleased  to  give,  of  his  great  Good- 
Will  towards  them  and  theirs,  nor  be  wanting 
of  that  Duty  they  owe  to  him  and  them- 
341 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

selves,  they  have  prayed  Leave  hereby  to 
declare  their  most  hearty  Acceptance  of  the 
said  Charter,  and  their  humble  Acknowledg- 
ments for  the  same,  solemnly  promising,  that 
they  will  inviolably  observe  and  keep  the 
same,  except  as  is  therein  excepted,  and  will 
neither  directly  nor  indirectly  contrive,  pro- 
pose, enact,  or  do  any  Thing  or  Things  what- 
soever, by  Virtue  of  the  Power  thereby 
granted  unto  them,  that  shall  or  may  redound 
to  the  Prejudice  or  Disadvantage  of  the  Pro- 
prietary and  Governor,  his  Heirs  and  Succes- 
sors, in  their  just  Bights,  Properties  and 
Privileges,  granted  to  him  and  them  by  the 
King's  Letters  Patents,  and  Deeds  of  Release 
and  Feoffment  made  to  him  by  JAMES  Duke 
of  York  and  Albany,  &c.  and  whom  they 
desire  may  be  hereby  acknowledged  and  rec- 
ognized the  true  and  rightful  Proprietaries 
and  Governors  of  the  Province  of  Pensylva- 
nia,  and  Territories  annexed,  according  to  the 
King's  Letters  Patents,  and  Deeds  of  Re- 
lease and  Feoffment  from  James,  Duke  of 
York  and  Albany,  unto  the  said  Proprietary 
and  Governor,  his  Heirs  and  Successors ;  any 
Thing  in  this  Act,  or  any  other  Act,  Grant, 
Charter,  or  Law,  to  the  contrary  of  these 
Things  herein  and  hereby  explained,  altered, 
limited,  promised,  declared,  and  enacted,  in 
any  wise  notwithstanding. 


342 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


The  FRAME  of  the  Government  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Pensylvania,  and  Territories  there- 
unto annexed  in  America. 

TO  ALL  PERSONS,  To  whom  these 
Presents  may  come.  WHEREAS 
King  CHARLES  the  Second,  by  his  Letters 
Patents,  under  the  great  Seal  of  England, 
bearing  Date  the  fourth  Day  of  March,  in  the 
thirty  and  third  Year  of  the  King,  for  divers 
Considerations  therein  mentioned,  hath  been 
graciously  pleased  to  give  and  grant  unto  me 
William  Penn  (by  the  Name  of  William 
Penn,  Esq;  Son  and  Heir  of  Sir  William 
Penn  deceased)  and  to  my  Heirs  and  Assigns 
for  ever,  all  that  Tract  of  Land,  or  Province 
called  Pensylvania,  in  America,  with  divers 
great  Powers,  Preheminences,  Royalties,  Ju- 
risdictions, and  Authorities,  necessary  for 
the  Well-being  and  Government  thereof. 
AND  WHEREAS  the  King's  dearest 
Brother,  James  Duke  of  York  and  Albany, 
&c.  by  his  Deeds  of  Feoffment,  under  his 
Hand  Seal,  duly  perfected,  bearing  Date  the 
four  and  twentieth  Day  of  August,  One  Thou- 
sand Six  Hundred  Eighty  and  Two,  did  grant 
unto  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  all  that 
Tract  of  Land,  lying  and  being  from  twelve 
Miles  Northward  of  Newcastle  upon  Dela- 
ware River,  in  Ajnerica,  to  Cape  Hinlopen, 
343 


THE  HISTORY   OF  THE 


upon  the  said  River  and  Bay  of  Delaware 
Southward,  together  with  all  Royalties,  Fran- 
chises, Duties,  Jurisdictions,  Liberties  and 
Privileges  thereunto  belonging. 

NOW  KNOW  YE,  That  the  Well-being 
and  good  Government  of  the  said  Province 
and  Territories  thereunto  annexed,  and  for 
the  Encouragement  of  all  the  Freemen  and 
Planters,  that  may  be  therein  concerned,  in 
Pursuance  of  the  Rights  and  Powers  afore- 
mentioned, I  the  said  William  Penn  have  de- 
clared, granted  and  confirmed,  and  by  these 
Presents,  for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  do 
declare,  grant  and  confirm  unto  all  the  Free- 
men, Planters  and  Adventurers  of,  in  and  to 
the  said  Province  and  Territories  thereof, 
these  Liberties,  Franchises  and  Properties, 
so  far  as  in  me  lieth,  to  be  held,  enjoyed  and 
kept  by  the  Freemen,  Planters  and  Adven- 
turers of  and  in  the  said  Province  of  Pensyl- 
vania  and  Territories  thereunto  annexed,  for 
ever. 

IMPRIMIS. 

THAT  the  Government  of  this  Province 
and  Territories  thereof  shall,  from  Time  to 
Time,  according  to  the  Powers  of  the  Patent 
and  Deeds  of  Feoffment  aforesaid,  consist  of 
the  Proprietary  and  Governor,  and  Freemen 
of  the  said  Province  and  Territories  thereof, 
in  Form  of  provincial  Council  and  Assembly, 
344 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

which  provincial  Council  shall  consist  of 
eighteen  Persons,  being  three  out  of  each 
County,  and  which  Assembly  shall  consist  of 
thirty-six  Persons,  being  six  out  of  each 
County,  Men  of  most  Note  for  their  Virtue, 
Wisdom  and  Ability,  by  whom  all  Laws 
shall  be  made,  Officers  chosen,  and  publick 
Affairs  transacted,  as  is  hereafter  limited  and 
declared. 

II. 

THERE  being  three  Persons  already  cho- 
sen for  every  respective  County  of  this  Prov- 
ince and  Territories  thereof,  to  serve  in  the 
provincial  Council,  one  of  them  for  three 
Years,  one  for  two  Years,  and  one  for  one 
Year ;  and  one  of  them  being  to  go  off  yearly 
in  every  County ;  that  on  the  tenth  Day  of 
the  first  Month  yearly,  for  ever  after,  the 
Freemen  of  the  said  Province  and  Territories 
thereof  shall  meet  together  in  the  most  con- 
venient Place  in  every  County  of  this  Prov- 
ince and  Territories  thereof,  then  and  there 
to  chuse  one  Person,  qualified  as  aforesaid, 
in  every  County,  being  one  third  of  the  Num- 
ber to  serve  in  provincial  Council,  for  three 
Years;  it  being  intended,  that  one  third  of 
the  whole  provincial  Council,  consisting  and 
to  consist  of  eighteen  Persons,  falling  off 
yearly,  it  shall  be  yearly  supplied  with  such 
yearly  Elections,  as  aforesaid;  and  that  one 
Person  shall  not  continue  in  longer  than  three 
345 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


Years;  and  in  Case  any  Member  shall  de- 
cease before  the  last  Election,  during  his 
Time,  that  then  at  the  next  Election  ensuing 
his  Decease,  another  shall  be  chosen  to  sup- 
ply his  Place  for  the  remaining  Time  he  was 
to  have  served,  and  no  longer. 

III. 
THAT  after  the  first  seven  Years,  every 
one  of  the  said  third  Parts  that  goeth  yearly 
off,  shall  be  incapable  of  being  chosen  again 
for  one  whole  Year  following,  that  so  all  that 
are  capable  and  qualified  as  aforesaid,  may  be 
fitted  for  Government,  and  have  a  Share  of 
the  Care  and  Burthen  of  it. 

IV. 
THAT  the  provincial  Council  in  all  Cases 
and  Matters  of  Moment,  as  their  arguing 
upon  Bills  to  be  passed  into  Laws,  or  Pro- 
ceedings about  erecting  of  Courts  of  Justice, 
sitting  in  Judgment  upon  Criminals  im- 
peached, and  Choice  of  Officers  in  such  Man- 
ner as  is  herein  after  expressed,  not  less  than 
two  thirds  of  the  whole  shall  make  a  Quo- 
rum ;  and  that  the  Consent  and  Approbation 
of  two  thirds  of  that  Quorum  shall  be  had  in 
all  such  Cases  or  Matters  of  Moment:  And 
that  in  all  Cases  and  Matters  of  lesser  Mo- 
ment, one  third  of  the  whole  shall  make  a 
Quorum,  the  Majority  of  which  shall  and 
346 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

may  always  determine    in  such  Cases   and 
Causes  of  lesser  Moment. 


THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil, shall  have  the  Power  of  preparing  and 
proposing  to  the  Assembly  hereafter  men- 
tioned, all  Bills  which  they  shall  see  needful, 
and  that  shall  at  any  Time  be  past  into  Laws 
within  the  said  Province  and  Territories 
thereof,  which  Bills  shall  be  published  and 
affixed  to  the  most  noted  Place  in  every  Coun- 
ty of  this  Province  and  Territories  thereof, 
twenty  Days  before  the  Meeting  of  the  As- 
sembly, in  order  to  passing  them  into  Laws. 

VI. 

THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  take  Care,  that  all  Laws,  Statutes, 
and  Ordinances,  which  shall  at  any  Time  be 
made  within  the  said  Province  and  Territo- 
ries, be  duly  and  diligently  executed. 

VII. 

THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall,  at  all  Times,  have  the  Care  of  the 
Peace  and  Safety  of  this  Province  and  Terri- 
tories thereof ;  and  that  nothing  be  by  any 
Person  attempted  to  the  Subversion  of  this 
Frame  of  Government. 
347 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


VIII. 
THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall,  at  all  Times,  settle  and  order  the 
Situation  of  all  Cities  and  Market-towns  in 
every  County,  modelling  therein  all  publick 
Buildings,  Streets,  and  Market-places;  and 
shall  appoint  all  necessary  Roads  and  High- 
ways in  this  Province  and  Territories  thereof. 

IX. 
THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall,  at  all  Times,  have  Power  to  inspect 
the  Management  of  the  publick  Treasury,  and 
punish  those  who  shall  convert  any  Part 
thereof  to  any  other  Use,  than  what  hath 
been  agreed  upon  by  the  Governor,  provincial 
Council,  and  Assembly. 

X. 

THAT  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil, shall  erect  and  order  all  publick  Schools, 
and  encourage  and  reward  the  Authors  of 
useful  Sciences  and  laudable  Inventions,  in 
the  said  Province  and  Territories  thereof. 

XI. 

THAT  one  third  of  the  provincial  Council 

residing  with  the  Governor,  shall  with  the 

Governor,  from  Time  to  Time,  have  the  Care 

of  the  Management  of  all  publick  Affairs,  re- 

348 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &a 

lating  to  the  Peace,  Justice,  Treasury,  and 
Improvement  of  the  Province  and  Territories, 
and  to  the  good  Education  of  Youth,  and  So- 
briety of  the  Manners  of  the  Inhabitants 
therein,  as  aforesaid. 

XII. 
THAT  the  Governor  or  his  Deputy,  shall 
always  preside  in  the  provincial  Council,  and 
that  he  shall  at  no  Time  therein  perform  any 
publick  Act  of  State  whatsoever,  that  shall 
or  may  relate  unto  the  Justice,  Trade,  Treas- 
ury, or  Safety  of  the  Province  and  Territories 
aforesaid,  but  by  and  with  the  Advice  and 
Consent  of  the  provincial  Council  thereof. 

XIII. 

AND  to  the  End  that  all  Bills  prepared 
and  agreed  by  the  Governor  and  provincial 
Council,  as  aforesaid,  may  yet  have  the  more 
full  Concurrence  of  the  Freemen  of  the  Prov- 
ince and  Territories  thereof,  it  is  declared, 
granted  and  confirmed,  that  at  the  Time  and 
Place  in  every  County,  for  the  Choice  of  one 
Person  to  serve  in  provincial  Council,  as 
aforesaid,  the  respective  Members  thereof,  at 
their  said  Meeting,  shall  yearly  chuse  out  of 
themselves  six  Persons  of  most  Note,  for  Vir- 
tue, Wisdom  and  Ability,  to  serve  in  Assem- 
bly, as  their  Representatives,  who  shall  year- 
ly meet  on  the  tenth  Day  of  the  third  Month, 
349 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


in  the  capital  Town  or  City  of  the  said  Prov- 
ince, unless  the  Governor  and  provincial  Coun- 
cil shall  think  fit  to  appoint  another  Place  to 
meet  in,  where,  during  eight  Days,  the  sev- 
eral Members  may  confer  freely  with  one  an- 
other ;  and  if  any  of  them  see  meet,  with  a 
Committee  of  the  provincial  Council,  which 
shall  be  at  that  Time  purposely  appointed,  to 
receive  from  any  of  them,  Proposals  for  the 
Alterations  or  Amendment  of  any  of  the  said 
proposed  and  promulgated  Bills ;  and  on  the 
ninth  Day  from  their  so  meeting,  the  said 
Assembly,  after  their  reading  over  of  the 
proposed  Bills,  by  the  Clerk  of  the  provincial 
Council,  and  the  Occasions  and  Motives  for 
them  being  opened  by  the  Governor  or  his 
Deputy,  shall,  upon  the  Question  by  him  put, 
give  their  Affirmative  or  Negative,  which  to 
them  seemeth  best,  in  such  Manner  as  is 
hereafter  expressed:  But  not  less  than  two 
thirds  shall  make  a  Quorum  in  the  passing  of 
all  Bills  into  Laws,  and  Choice  of  such  Offi- 
cers as  are  by  them  to  be  chosen. 

XIV. 
THAT  the  Laws  so  prepared  and  proposed 
as  aforesaid,  that  are  assented  to  by  the  As- 
sembly, shall  be  enrolled  as  Laws  of  this 
Province  and  Territories  thereof,  with  this 
Stile,  By  the  Governor,  with  the  Assent  and 
Approbation  of  the  Freemen  in  provincial 
350 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Council  and  Assembly  met ;  and  from  hence- 
forth, the  Meetings,  Sessions,  Acts,  and  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Governor,  provincial  Council 
and  Assembly,  shall  be  stiled  and  called,  The 
Meeting,  Sessions,  and  Proceedings,  of  the 
general  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Pensyl- 
vania,  and  the  Territories  thereunto  belong- 
ing. 

XV. 

AND  that  the  Representatives  of  the 
People  in  provincial  Council  and  Assembly, 
may  in  after  Ages  bear  some  Proportion  with 
the  Increase  and  multiplying  of  the  People, 
the  Number  of  such  Representatives  of  the 
People,  may  be  from  Time  to  Time  increased 
and  enlarged,  so  as  at  no  Time  the  Number 
exceed  seventy-two  for  the  provincial  Coun- 
cil, and  two  hundred  for  the  Assembly ;  the 
Appointment  and  Proportion  of  which  Num- 
ber, as  also  the  laying  and  methodizing  of  the 
Choice  of  such  Representatives  in  future 
Time,  most  equally  to  the  Division  of 
the  Country,  or  Number  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants, is  left  to  the  Governor  and  provincial 
Council  to  propose,  and  the  Assembly  to 
resolve,  so  that  the  Order  of  Proportion 
be  strictly  observed,  both  in  the  Choice  of 
the  Council  and  the  respective  Committees 
thereof,  viz.   one  third  to  go  off  and  come  in 

yearly. 

351 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


XVI. 
THAT  from  and  after  the  Death  of  this 
present  Governor,  the  provincial  Council 
shall,  together  with  the  succeeding  Governor, 
erect  from  Time  to  Time,  standing  Courts  of 
Justice,  in  such  Places  and  Number,  as  they 
shall  judge  convenient  for  the  good  Govern- 
ment of  the  said  Province  and  Territories 
thereof;  and  that  the  provincial  Council 
shall,  on  the  thirteenth  Day  of  the  second 
Month  then  next  ensuing,  elect  and  present 
to  the  Governor  or  his  Deputy,  a  double 
Number  of  Persons,  to  serve  for  Judges, 
Treasurers,  and  Masters  of  the  Eolls,  within 
the  said  Province  and  Territories,  to  continue 
so  long  as  they  shall  well  behave  themselves 
in  those  Capacities  respectively;  and  the 
Freemen  of  the  said  Province,  in  an  Assem- 
bly met  on  the  thirteenth  Day  of  the  third 
Month,  yearly,  shall  elect  and  then  present 
to  the  Governor  or  his  Deputy,  a  double 
Number  of  Persons  to  serve  for  Sheriffs,  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace  and  Coroners,  for  the  Year 
next  ensuing ;  out  of  which  respective  Elec- 
tions and  Presentments,  the  Governor  or  his 
Deputy,  shall  nominate  and  commissionate 
the  proper  Number  for  each  Office,  the  third 
Day  after  the  said  respective  Presentments ; 
or  else  the  first  named  in  such  Presentment 
for  each  Office  as  aforesaid,  stall  stand  and 
352 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

serve  in  that  Office,  the  Time  before  respec- 
tively limited ;  and  in  Case  of  Death  or  De- 
fault, such  Vacancy  shall  be  supplied  by  the 
Governor  and  provincial  Council  in  Manner 
aforesaid. 

XVII. 

THAT  the  Assembly  shall  continue  so  long 
as  may  be  needful,  to  impeach  Criminals  fit 
to  be  there  impeached,  to  pass  such  Bills 
into  Laws  as  are  proposed  to  them,  which 
they  shall  think  fit  to  pass  into  Laws ;  and 
till  such  Time  as  the  Governor  and  provincial 
Council  shall  declare,  That  they  have  nothing 
further  to  propose  unto  them  for  their  Assent 
and  Approbation ;  and  that  Declaration  shall 
be  a  Dismiss  to  the  Assembly  for  that  Time ; 
which  Assembly  shall  be  notwithstanding, 
capable  of  assembling  together,  upon  the 
Summons  of  the  Governor  and  provincial 
Council,  at  any  Time  during  that  Year,  if  the 
Governor  and  provincial  Council  shall  see 
Occasion  for  their  so  assembling. 

XVIII. 

THAT  all  the  Elections  of  Members  or 
Representatives  of  the  People  to  serve  in  pro- 
vincial Council  and  Assembly,  and  all  Ques- 
tions to  be  determined  by  both  or  either  of 
them,  that  relate  to  Choice  of  Officers,  and 
all  or  any  other  personal  Matters,  shall  be  re- 
Vol.  II.— 23  353 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

solved  or  determined  by  the  Ballot ;  and  all 
Things  relating  to  the  preparing  and  passing 
of  Bills  into  Laws,  shall  be  openly  declared 
and  resolved  by  the  Vote 

XIX. 
THAT  at  all  Times  when  the  Proprietary 
and  Governor  shall  happen  to  be  an  Infant, 
and  under  the  Age  of  one  and  twenty  Years, 
and  no  Guardians  or  Commissioners  are  ap- 
pointed in  Writing,  by  the  Father  of  the  said 
Infant,  or  that  such  Guardian  shall  be  de- 
ceased, that  during  such  Minority,  the  pro- 
vincial Council  shall,  from  Time  to  Time,  as 
they  shall  see  meet,  constitute  and  appoint 
Guardians  and  Commissioners  not  exceeding 
three,  one  of  which  shall  preside  as  Deputy 
and  chief  Guardian  during  such  Minority, 
and  shall  have  and  execute,  with  the  Consent 
of  one  of  the  other  two,  all  the  Power  of  a 
Governor  in  all  publick  Affairs  and  Concerns 
of  the  said  Province  and  Territories  thereof, 
according  to  Charter;  which  said  Guardian 
so  appointed,  shall  also  have  the  Care  and 
Oversight  of  the  Estate  of  the  said  Minor, 
and  be  yearly  accountable  and  responsible  for 
the  same  to  the  provincial  Council,  and  the 
provincial  Council  to  the  Minor,  when  of 
Age,  or  to  the  next  Heir,  in  case  of  the 
Minor's  Death,  for  the  Trust  before  ex- 
pressed. 

354 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

XX. 

THAT  as  often  as  any  Days  of  the  Month 
*nentioned  in  any  Article  of  this  Charter, 
shall  fall  upon  the  first  Day  of  the  Week, 
commonly  called  the  Lord's-day,  the  Business 
appointed  for  that  Day  shall  be  deferred 
until  the  next  Day,  unless  in  Cases  of  Emer- 
gency. 

XXI. 

AND  for  the  Satisfaction  and  Encourage- 
ment of  all  Aliens,  I  do  give  and  grant,  that 
if  any  Alien,  who  is  or  shall  be  a  Purchaser, 
or  who  doth  or  shall  inhabit  in  this  Province 
or  Territories  thereof,  shall  decease  at  any 
Time  before  he  can  well  be  naturalized,  his 
Eight  and  Interest  therein,  shall  notwith- 
standing descend  to  his  Wife  and  Children, 
or  other  his  Relations,  be  he  Testate  or  Intes- 
tate, according  to  the  Laws  of  this  Province 
and  Territories  thereof  in  such  Cases  pro- 
vided, in  as  free  and  ample  Manner,  to  all 
Intents  and  Purposes,  as  if  the  said  Alien 
had  been  naturalized. 

XXII. 

AND  that  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Province 
and  Territories  thereof,  may  be  accommodated 
with  such  Food  and  Sustenance,  as  God  in 
his  Providence  hath  freely  afforded,  I  do  also 
further  grant  to  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Prov- 
355 


THE  iBISTORY  OF  THE 

ince  and  Territories  thereof,  Liberty  to  fowl 
and  hunt  upon  the  Lands  they  hold,  and  all 
other  Lands  therein  not  enclosed ;  and  to  fish 
in  all  Waters  in  the  said  Lands,  and  in  all 
Bivers  and  Rivulets  in  and  belonging  to  this 
Province  and  Territories  thereof,  with  Lib- 
erty to  draw  his  or  their  Fish  on  Shore  on 
any  Man's  Lands,  so  as  it  be  not  to  the  Detri- 
ment or  Annoyance  of  the  Owner  thereof,  ex- 
cept such  Lands  as  do  lie  upon  Inland  Rivu- 
lets that  are  not  Boatable,  or  which  are  or 
may  be  hereafter  erected  into  Manors. 

XXIII. 

AND  that  all  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Prov- 
ince and  Territories  thereof,  whether  Pur- 
chasers or  others,  may  have  the  last  worldly 
Pledge  of  my  good  and  kind  Intentions  to 
them  and  theirs,  I  do  give,  grant,  and  con- 
firm to  all,  and  every  one  of  them,  full  and 
quiet  Possession  of  their  respective  Lands,  to 
which  they  have  any  lawful  or  equitable 
Claim,  saving  only  such  Rents  and  Services 
for  the  same  as  are  or  customarily  ought  to 
be  reserved  to  me,  my  Heirs  or  Assigns. 

XXIV. 

THAT  no  Act,  Law  or  Ordinance  whatso- 
ever, shall  at  any  Time  hereafter  be  made  or 
done  by  the  Proprietary  and  Governor  of  this 
356 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Province  and  Territories  thereunto  belonging, 
his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  or  by  the  Freemen  in 
provincial  Council  or  Assembly,  to  alter, 
change,  or  diminish,  the  Form  or  Effect  of 
this  Charter,  or  any  Part  or  Clause  thereof, 
contrary  to  the  true  Intent  and  Meaning  there- 
of, without  the  Consent  of  the  Proprietary 
and  Governor,  his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  and  six 
Parts  of  seven  of  the  said  Freemen  in  provin- 
cial Council  and  Assembly  met. 

XXV. 
AND  LASTLY,  I  the  said  William  Penn, 
Proprietary  and  Governor  of  the  Province  of 
Pensylvania  and  Territories  thereunto  belong- 
ing, for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  have 
solemnly  declared,  granted  and  confirmed, 
and  do  hereby  solemnly  declare,  grant  and 
confirm,  that  neither  I,  nor  my  Heirs  nor  As- 
signs, shall  procure  or  do  any  Thing  or  Things 
whereby  the  Liberties  in  this  Charter  con- 
tained and  expressed,  shall  be  infringed  or 
broken:  And  if  any  Thing  be  procured  by 
any  Person  or  Persons,  contrary  to  these 
Premises,  it  shall  be  held  of  no  Force  or 
Effect.  IN  WITNESS  whereof,  I  the  said 
William  Penn,  at  Philadelphia  in  Pensyl- 
vania, have  unto  this  present  Charter  of  Lib- 
erties set  my  Hand  and  broad  Seal,  this  sec- 
ond Day  of  the  second  Month,  in  the  Year  of 
our  Lord  one  Thousand  six  Hundred  Eighty 
357 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

and  Three,  being  the  five  and  thirtieth  Yeai 
of  the  King,  and  the  third  Year  of  my  Gov- 
ernment. 

WILLIAM  PENN. 


THIS  within  CHARTER,  which  we  have 
distinctly  heard  read  and  thankfully  received, 
shall  be  by  us  inviolably  kept ;  at  Philadel- 
phia, the  second  Day  of  the  second  Month, 
one  Thousand  six  Hundred  Eighty  and  Three. 


The   Members  of 
present. 

William  Markham, 
John  Moll, 
William  Haige, 
Christopher  Taylor, 
John  Simcock, 
William  Clayton, 
Francis  Whittwel, 
Thomas  Holme, 


the   provincial  Council 

William  Clark, 
William  Biles, 
James  Harrison, 
John  Richardson, 
Philip-Thomas      Len- 

man,  Seer.  Gov. 
Richard     Ingelo,    CL 

Coun. 


The  Members  of  the  Assembly  present. 


Casparus  Harman, 
John  Darby, 
Benjamin  Williams, 
William  Guest, 
Valentine   Hollings- 

worth, 
James  Boy  den, 
Bennony  Bishop, 


Thomas  Hassald, 
John  Hart, 
Robert  Hall, 
Robert  Bedwell, 
William  Simsmore, 
Samuel  Darke, 
Robert  Lucas, 
James  Williams, 
358 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 


John  Beazor, 
John  Harding, 
Andrews  Bringston, 
Simon  Irons, 
John  Wood, 
John  Curtis, 
Daniel  Brown, 
William  Futcher, 
John  Kipshaven, 
Alexander  Molestine, 
Robert  Bracy,  sen. 
Thomas  Bracy, 
William  Yardly, 
John  Hastings, 
Robert  Wade. 


John  Blunston, 
John  Songhurst, 
John  Hill, 
Nicholas  Wain, 
Thomas  Fitzwater, 
John  Clows, 
Luke  Watson, 
Joseph  Phipps, 
Dennis  Rotchford, 
John  Brinklair, 
Henry  Bowman, 
Cornelius  Verhoofe, 
John  Southworth,  CI. 
of  the  Synod. 


Some  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Philadelphia  pres- 
ent. 
William  Howel,  Henry  Lewis, 

Edmund  Warner,         Samuel  Miles. 


The  CHARTER  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

WILLIAM  PENN,  Proprietary  and  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Province  of  Pensylvania, 
&c.  To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall 
come,  sends  greeting.  KNOW  YE,  That  at 
the  humble  Request  of  the  Inhabitants  and 
Settlers  of  this  Town  of  Philadelphia,  being 
859 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 
v 

some  of  the  first  Adventurers  and  Purchasers 
within  this  Province,  for  their  Encourage- 
ment, and  for  the  more  immediate  and  entire 
Government  of  the  said  Town,  and  better 
Kegulation  of  Trade  therein :  I  have  by  Vir- 
tue of  the  King's  Letters  Patent,  under  the 
Great  Seal  of  England,  erected  the  said  Town 
into  a  Borough,  and  by  these  Presents  do 
erect  the  said  Town  and  Borough  of  Phila- 
delphia into  a  CITY ;  which  said  City  shall 
extend  the  Limits  and  Bounds,  as  it  is  laid 
out  between  Delaware  and  Skuylkill. 

AND  I  do  for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns, 
grant  and  ordain,  that  the  Streets  of  the  said 
City  shall  for  ever  continue  as  they  are  now 
laid  out  and  regulated ;  and  that  the  End  of 
each  Street  extending  into  the  River  Dela- 
ware, shall  be  and  continue  free  for  the  Use 
and  Service  of  the  said  City,  and  the  Inhabi- 
tants thereof,  who  may  improve  the  same  for 
the  best  Advantage  of  the  City,  and  build 
Wharfs  so  far  out  into  the  River  there,  as 
the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common-council, 
herein  after  mentioned,  shall  see  meet. 

AND  I  do  nominate  Edward  Shippen  to 
be  the  present  Mayor,  who  shall  so  continue 
until  another  be  chosen,  as  is  herein  after 
directed. 

AND  I  do  hereby  assign  and  name  Thomas 
Story  to  be  present  Recorder,  to  do  and  exe- 
cute all  Things  which  unto  the  Office  of 
360 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Recorder  of  the  said  City  doth  or  may  be- 
long. 

AND  I  do  appoint  Thomas  Farmer  to  be 
the  present  Sheriff,  and  Robert  Assheton  to 
be  the  present  Town-clerk,  and  Clerk  of  the 
Peace,  and  Clerk  of  the  Court  and  Courts. 

AND  I  do  hereby  name,  constitute,  and 
appoint,  Joshua  Carpenter,  Griffith  Jones, 
Anthony  Morris,  Joseph  Wilcox,  Nathan 
Stanbury,  Charles  Read,  Thomas  Masters, 
and  William  Carter,  Citizens  and  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  said  City,  to  be  the  present  Al- 
dermen of  the  said  City  of  Philadelphia. 

AND  I  do  also  nominate  and  appoint  John 
Parsons,  William  Hudson,  William  Lee, 
Nehemiah  Allen,  Thomas  Paschal,  John  Bud, 
jun.,  Edward  Smout,  Samuel  Buckley,  James 
Atkinson,  Pentecost  Teague,  Francis  Cook, 
and  Henry  Badcocke,  to  be  the  twelve  pres- 
ent Common-council  Men  of  the  said  City. 

AND  I  do  by  these  Presents,  for  me,  my 
Heirs  and  Successors,  give,  grant  and  declare, 
that  the  said  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen, 
and  Common-council  Men  for  the  Time  being, 
and  they  which  hereafter  shall  be  Mayor, 
Recorder,  Aldermen  and  Common-council 
Men  within  the  said  City,  and  their  Succes- 
sors, for  ever  hereafter  be  and  shall  be,  by 
Virtue  of  these  Presents,  one  Body  corporate 
and  politick  in  Deed,  and  by  the  Name  of  the 
Mayor  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
361 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

delphia,  in  the  Province  of  Pensylvania :  And 
them  by  the  Name  of  Mayor  and  Common- 
alty of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  one  Body 
politick  and  corporate  in  Deed  and  in  Name, 
I  do  for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Successors,  fully 
create,  constitute  and  confirm,  by  these  Pres- 
ents ;  and  that  by  the  same  Name  of  Mayor 
and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
they  may  have  perpetual  Succession;  and 
that  they  and  their  Successors,  by  the  Name 
of  Mayor  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  be  and  at  all  Times  hereafter 
shall  be  Persons  able  and  capable  in  Law,  to 
have,  get,  receive,  and  possess,  Lands  and 
Tenements,  Rents,  Liberties,  Jurisdictions, 
Franchises  and  Hereditaments,  to  them  and 
their  Successors  in  Fee-simple,  or  for  Term 
of  Life,  Lives,  Years,  or  otherwise ;  and  also 
Goods,  Chattels,  and  other  Things,  of  what 
Nature,  Kind,  or  Quality  soever. 

AND  also  to  give,  grant,  let,  sell  and  as- 
sign the  same  Lands,  Tenements,  Heredita- 
ments, Goods,  Chattels,  and  to  do  and  exe- 
cute all  other  Things  about  the  same,  by  the 
Name  aforesaid ;  and  also  that  they  be  and 
shall  be  forever  hereafter  Persons  able  and 
capable  in  Law,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  plead 
and  be  impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered 
unto,  defend  and  be  defended,  in  all  or  any 
the  Courts  and  other  Places,  and  before  any 
Judges,  Justices,  and  other  Persons  whatso- 
362 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

ever  within  the  said  Province,  in  all  Manners 
of  Actions,  Suits,  Complaints,  Pleas,  Causes 
and  Matters  whatsoever,  and  of  what  Nature 
or  Kind  soever. 

AND  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to 
and  for  the  said  Mayor  and  Commonalty  of 
the  said  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  their  Suc- 
cessors, for  ever  hereafter,  to  have  and  use 
one  common  Seal  for  the  sealing  of  all  Busi- 
nesses touching  the  said  Corporation,  and  the 
same  from  Time  to  Time  at  their  Will  and 
Pleasure  to  change  or  alter. 

AND  I  do  for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Succes- 
sors, give,  and  by  these  Presents,  grant  full 
Power  and  Authority  unto  the  Mayor,  Re- 
corder  and  Common-Council  of  the  said  City 
of  Philadelphia,  or  any  five  or  more  of  the 
Aldermen,  and  nine  or  more  of  the  Common- 
Council  Men,  the  Mayor  and  Recorder  for  the 
time  being,  or  either  of  them,  being  present, 
on  the  first  third  Day  of  the  Week,  in  the 
eighth  Month  yearly  for  ever  hereafter,  pub- 
lickly  to  meet  at  a  convenient  Room  or  Place 
within  the  said  City,  to  be  by  them  appointed 
for  that  Purpose,  and  then  and  there  nomi- 
nate, elect  and  chuse  one  of  the  Aldermen  to 
be  Mayor  for  that  ensuing  Year. 

AND  also  to  add  to  the  Number  of  Alder- 
men and  Common-council  Men,  such  and  so 
many  of  those,  that  by  Virtue  of  these  Pres- 
ents shall  be  admitted  Freemen  of  the  said 
363 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 
City  from  Time  to  Time,  as  they  the  said 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common-Council  shall 
see  Occasion. 

AND  that  such  Person  who  shall  be  so 
elected  Mayor  aforesaid,  shall  within  three 
Days  next  after  such  Election,  be  presented 
before  the  Governor  of  this  Province,  or  his 
Deputy  for  the  time  being,  and  there  shall 
subscribe  the  Declarations  and  Profession  of 
his  Christian  Belief,  according  to  the  late  Act 
of  Parliament  made  in  the  first  Year  of  King 
William's  Reign,  entitled,  An  Act  for  ex- 
empting their  Majesties  Subjects  dissenting 
from  the  Church  of  England,  from  the  Penal- 
ties of  certain  Laws ;  and  then  and  there  the 
Mayor  so  presented,  shall  make  his  solemn 
Affirmation  and  Engagement  for  the  due  Ex- 
ecution of  his  Office. 

AND  that  the  Recorder,  Sheriff,  Alder* 
men,  and  Common-council  Men,  and  all  other 
Officers  of  the  said  City,  before  they  or  any 
of  them  shall  be  admitted  to  execute  their 
respective  Offices,  shall  make  and  subscribe 
the  said  Declarations  and  Profession  aforesaid 
before  the  Mayor  for  the  Time  being,  and  at 
the  same  Time  shall  be  attested  for  the  due 
Execution  of  the  Offices  respectively;  which 
Declarations,  Promises  and  Attestations,  the 
Mayor  of  the  said  City  for  the  Time  being, 
is  hereby  impowered  to  take  and  administer 
accordingly. 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

AND  that  the  Mayor,  Kecorder  and  Alder- 
men of  the  said  City,  for  the  Time  being, 
shall  be  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  Justices  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer ;  and  are  hereby  impow- 
ered  to  act  within  the  said  City  and  Liberties 
thereof  accordingly,  as  fully  and  amply  as 
any  Justice  or  Justices  of  the  Peace  or  Oyer 
and  Terminer,  can  or  may  do  within  the  said 
Province. 

AND  that  they  or  any  four  or  more  of 
them  (whereof  the  Mayor  and  Recorder  of 
the  said  City  for  the  Time  being,  shall  be  two, 
shall  and  may  for  ever  hereafter  have  Power 
and  Authority,  by  Virtue  of  these  Presents, 
to  hear  and  enquire  into  all  and  all  Manner 
of  Treasons,  Murthers,  Manslaughters,  and 
all  Manner  of  Felonies  and  other  Crimes  and 
Offences,  Capital  and  Criminal,  whatsoever, 
according  to  the  Laws  of  this  Province  and 
of  the  Kingdom  of  England,  with  Power  also 
to  hear  and  determine  all  petty  Larcenies, 
Routs,  Riots,  unlawful  Assemblies;  and  to 
try  and  punish  all  Persons  that  shall  be  con- 
victed for  Drunkenness,  Swearing,  Scolding, 
breaking  the  Peace,  or  such  like  Offences, 
which  are  by  the  Laws  of  this  Province  to  be 
punished  by  Fine,  Imprisonment  or  Whip- 
ping; with  Power  also  to  award  Process 
against  all  Rioters  and  Breakers  of  the  Peace, 
and  to  bind  them,  and  all  other  Offenders  and 
Persons  of  evil  Fame,  to  the  Peace  or  good 
365 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

Behaviour,  as  any  Justice  or  Justices  of  the 

Peace  can  do,  without  being  accountable  to 
me  or  my  Heirs,  for  any  Fines  or  Amercia- 
ments to  be  imposed  for  the  said  Offences  or 
any  of  them. 

AND  I  do  hereby  iinpower  them  or  any 
four  of  them  ( whereof  the  Mayor  and  Re- 
corder for  the  Time  being,  shall  be  two)  with 
the  City  Sheriff  and  Town-clerk,  to  hold  and 
keep  a  Court  of  Record,  Quarterly,  or  oftener, 
if  they  see  Occasion,  for  the  enquiring,  hear- 
ing and  determining  of  the  Pleas  and  Matters 
aforesaid ;  and  upon  their  own  View,  or  after 
a  legal  Procedure  in  some  of  those  Courts,  to 
cause  all  Nuisances  and  Encroachments  in 
the  Streets  of  the  said  City  to  be  removed, 
and  punish  the  Parties  concerned,  as  the 
Law  and  Usage  in  such  Cases  shall  require. 

AND  I  do  by  these  Presents  assign  and 
appoint,  that  the  present  Mayor,  Recorder, 
and  Aldermen  herein  before-mentioned,  be 
the  present  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  Oyer 
and  Terminer,  within  the  said  City ;  and  that 
they  and  all  others  that  shall  be  Mayors, 
Recorders  and  Aldermen  of  the  said  City  for 
the  Time  being,  shall  have  full  Power  and 
Authority,  and  are  hereby  impowered  and 
and  authorized,  without  any  further  or  other 
Commission,  to  be  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and 
of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  within  the  said  City 
forever  j  and  shall  also  be  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
366 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

and  the  Mayor  and  Kecorder  shall  be  of  the 
Quorum  of  the  Justices  of  the  County  Courts, 
Quarter-sessions  Oyer  and  Terminer,  and  Goal 
Delivery,  in  the  said  County  of  Philadelphia ; 
and  shall  have  full  Power  to  award  Process, 
bind  to  the  Peace  or  Behaviour,  or  commit  to 
Prison,  for  any  Matter  or  Cause,  arising 
without  the  said  City  and  within  the  Body  of 
the  aforesaid  County,  as  Occasion  shall  re- 
quire ;  and  to  cause  Kalendars  to  be  made  of 
such  Prisoners,  which,  together  with  all 
Kecognizances  and  Examinations  taken  before 
them,  for  or  concerning  any  Matter  or  Cause 
not  determinable  by  them,  shall  be  duly 
returned  to  the  Judges  or  Justices  of  the 
said  County,  in  their  respective  Courts  where 
the  same  shall  be  cognizable. 

AND  that  it  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the 
said  Mayor  and  Commonalty  and  their  Suc- 
cessors, when  they  see  Occasion,  to  erect  a 
Goal  or  Prison  and  Court-house  within  the 
said  City. 

AND  that  the  Mayor  and  Recorder  for  the 
Time  being,  shall  have,  and  by  these  Presents 
have  Power  to  take  Recognizance  of  Debts 
there,  according  to  the  Statute  of  Merchants, 
and  of  Action  Burnel ;  and  to  use  and  affix 
the  common  Seal  thereupon,  and  to  all  Cer- 
tificates concerning  the  same. 

AND  that  it  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the 
Mayor  of  the  said  City,  for  the  Time  being, 
367 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

for  ever  hereafter  to  nominate,  and  from 
Time  to  Time  appoint  the  Clerk  of  the  Mar- 
ket, who  shall  have  Assize  of  Bread,  Wine, 
Beer,  Wood,  and  other  Things;  and  to  do, 
execute  and  perform  all  Things  belonging  to 
the  Clerk  of  the  Market  within  the  said  City. 

AND  I  will  that  the  Coroners  to  be  chosen 
by  the  County  of  Philadelphia  for  the  Time 
being,  shall  be  Coroners  of  the  said  City  and 
Liberties  thereof ;  but  that  the  Freemen  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  said  City  shall  from  Time 
to  Time,  as  often  as  Occasion  be,  have  equal 
Liberty  with  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said 
County,  to  recommend  or  chuse  Persons  to 
serve  in  the  respective  Capacities  of  Coroners 
and  Sheriffs  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
who  shall  reside  within  the  said  City. 

AND  that  the  Sheriff  of  the  said  City  and 
County  for  the  Time  being,  shall  be  the 
Water-Bailiff,  who  shall  and  may  execute 
and  perform  all  Things  belonging  to  the 
Officer  of  Water-Bailiff,  upon  Delaware  Kiver, 
and  all  other  navigable  Kivers  and  Creeks 
within  the  said  Province. 

AND  in  Case  the  Mayor  of  the  said  City 
for  the  Time  being,  shall,  during  the  Time  of 
his  Mayoralty,  misbehave  himself,  or  mis- 
govern in  that  Office,  I  do  hereby  impower 
the  Recorder,  Aldermen  and  Common-council 
Men,  or  five  of  the  Aldermen  and  nine  of  the 
Common-council  Men  of  the  said  City  of 
368 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Philadelphia,  for  the  Time  being,  to  remove 
such  Mayor  from  his  Office  of  Mayoralty; 
and  in  such  Case,  or  in  Case  of  the  Death  of 
the  said  Mayor  for  the  Time  being,  that  then 
another  fit  Person  shall,  within  four  Days 
next  after  such  Death  or  Eemoval,  be  chosen 
in  Manner  as  is  above  directed  for  electing  of 
Mayors,  in  the  Place  of  him  so  dead  or  re- 
moved. 

AND  lest  there  should  be  a  Failure  of  Jus- 
tice or  Government  in  the  said  City,  in  such 
Interval,  I  do  hereby  appoint,  That  the  eld- 
est Alderman  for  the  Time  being,  shall  take 
upon  him  the  Office  of  a  Mayor  there,  and 
shall  exercise  the  same  till  another  Mayor  be 
chosen  as  foresaid ;  and  in  Case  of  the  Disa- 
bility of  such  eldest  Alderman,  then  the  next 
in  Seniority  shall  take  upon  him  the  said 
Office  of  Mayor,  to  exercise  the  same  as  afore- 
said. 

AND  in  Case  the  Recorder,  or  any  of  the 
Aldermen  or  Common-council  Men  of  or  be- 
longing to  the  said  City,  for  the  Time  being, 
shall  misbehave  him  or  themselves  in  their 
respective  Offices  and  Places,  they  shall  be 
removed  and  others  chosen  in  their  Stead,  in 
Manner  following,  that  is  to  say,  The  Re- 
corder for  the  Time  being,  may  be  removed 
(for  his  Misbehaviour)  by  the  Mayor,  and 
two  thirds  of  the  Aldermen  and  Common- 
council  Men  respectively;  and  in  Case  of 
Vol.  II.—  24  369 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

v 
such  Removal  or  of  the  Death  of  the  Recor- 
der, then  to  chuse  another  fit  Person  skilled 
in  the  Law,  to  be  the  Recorder  there,  and  so 
to  continue  during  Pleasure  as  aforesaid. 

AND  the  Alderman  so  misbehaving  him- 
self, may  be  removed  by  the  Mayor,  Recorder 
and  nine  of  the  Aldermen  and  Common -coun- 
cil Men;  and  in  Case  of  such  Removal  or 
Death,  then  within  four  Days  after,  to  chuse 
a  fit  Person  or  Persons  to  supply  such  Vacan- 
cies ;  and  the  Common-council  Men,  Consta- 
bles, and  Clerk  of  the  Market,  for  Misbeha- 
viour, shall  be  removed  and  others  chosen, 
as  is    directed    in   the    Case   of  Aldermen. 

AND  I  do  also,  for  me  and  my  Successors, 
by  these  Presents,  grant  to  the  said  Mayor 
and  Commonalty,  and  their  Successors,  that  if 
any  of  the  Citizens  of  the  said  City,  shall  be 
hereafter  nominated,  elected,  and  chosen  to 
the  Office  of  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common- 
council  Men  as  foresaid,  and  having  Notice 
of  his  or  their  Election,  shall  refuse  to  under- 
take and  execute  that  Office  to  which  he  is  so 
chosen,  that  then,  and  so  often  it  shall  and 
may  be  lawful  for  the  Mayor  and  Recorder, 
Aldermen  and  Common-council  Men,  or  the 
major  Part  of  the  Aldermen  and  Common- 
council  Men  for  the  Time  being,  according  to 
their  Discretion,  to  impose  such  moderate 
fines  upon  such  Refusers,  so  as  the  Mayor's 
Fine  exceed  not  forty  Pounds,  the  Alder- 
870 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

man's  five  and  thirty  Pounds,  and  Common- 
council  Men  twenty  Pounds,  and  other  Offi- 
cers proportionably,  to  be  levied  by  Distress 
and  Sale,  by  Warrant  under  the  common 
Seal,  or  by  other  lawful  Ways,  to  the  Use  of 
the  said  Corporation. 

AND  in  such  Cases  it  shall  be  lawful  to 
chuse  others  to  supply  the  Defects  of  such 
Refusers,  in  Manner  as  is  as  above  directed 
for  Elections. 

AND  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to 
and  for  the  Mayor,  Recorder,  and  at  least 
three  Aldermen  for  the  Time  being,  from 
Time  to  Time,  so  often  as  they  shall  find  Oc- 
casion, to  summon  a  Common-council  of  the 
said  City. 

AND  that  no  Assembly  or  Meeting  of  the 
said  Citizens,  shall  be  deemed  or  accounted 
a  Common-council,  unless  the  said  Mayor  and 
Recorder,  and  at  least  three  of  the  Aldermen 
for  the  time  being,  and  nine  of  the  Common- 
council  Men  be  present. 

AND  also  that  the  said  Mayor,  Recorder, 
Aldermen  and  Common-council  Men  for  the 
Time  being,  from  Time  to  Time,  at  their 
Common-council,  shall  have  Power  to  admit 
such  and  so  many  Freemen  into  their  Cor- 
poration and  Society  as  they  shall  think  fit. 

AND  to  make  (and  they  may  make,  ordain, 
constitute  and  establish)  such  and  so  many 
good  and  reasonable  Laws,  Ordinances  and 
371 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Constitutions  (not  repugnant  to  the  Laws  of 
England  and  this  Government)  as  to  the 
greater  Part  of  them  at  such  Common-council 
assembled  (where  the  Mayor  and  Recorder 
for  the  Time  being,  are  to  be  always  present) 
shall  seem  necessary  and  convenient  for  the 
Government  of  the  said  City. 

AND  the  same  Laws,  Ordinances,  Orders 
and  Constitutions  so  to  be  made,  to  put  in 
Use  and  Execution  accordingly,  by  the  proper 
Officers  of  the  said  City ;  and  at  their  Pleasure 
to  revoke,  alter,  and  make  anew,  as  Occasion 
shall  require. 

AND  also  impose  such  Mulcts  and  Amer- 
ciaments upon  the  Breakers  of  such  Laws  and 
Ordinances,  as  to  them  in  their  Discretion 
shall  be  thought  reasonable;  which  Mulcts, 
as  also  all  other  Fines  and  Amerciaments  to 
be  set  or  imposed  by  Virtue  of  the  Powers 
granted,  shall  be  levied  as  above  is  directed 
in  Case  of  Fines,  to  the  Use  of  the  said  Cor- 
poration, without  rendering  any  Account 
thereof  to  me,  my  Heirs  and  Successors ;  with 
Power  to  the  Common-council  aforesaid,  to 
mitigate,  remit,  or  release  such  Fines  and 
Mulcts,  upon  the  Submission  of  the  Parties. 
Provided  always,  That  no  Person  or  Per- 
sons hereafter,  shall  have  Right  of  electing 
or  being  elected,  by  Virtue  of  these  Presents, 
to  any  Office  or  Place  judicial  or  ministerial, 
nor  shall  be  admitted  Freemen  of  the  said 
372 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

City,  unless  they  be  free  Denizens  of  this 
Province,  and  are  of  the  Age  of  twenty-one 
Years  or  upwards,  and  are  Inhabitants  of  the 
said  City,  and  have  an  Estate  of  Inheritance 
or  Freehold  therein,  or  are  worth  fifty  Pounds 
in  Money,  or  other  Stock,  and  have  been  resi- 
dent in  the  said  City  for  the  Space  of  two 
Years,  or  shall  purchase  their  Freedom  of  the 
Mayor  and  Commonalty  aforesaid. 

AND  I  do  further  grant  to  the  said  Mayor 
and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
that  they  and  their  Successors,  shall  and  may 
forever  hereafter  hold  and  keep  within  the 
said  City,  in  every  Week  of  the  Year,  two 
Market  days,  the  one  upon  the  fourth  Day  of 
the  Week,  and  the  other  upon  the  seventh 
Day  of  the  Week,  in  such  Place  or  Places  as 
is,  shall,  or  may  be  appointed  for  that  Pur- 
pose, by  the  said  Commonalty  or  their  Succes- 
sors, from  Time  to  Time. 

AND  also  two  Fairs  therein  every  Year, 
the  one  of  them  to  begin  on  the  sixteenth 
Day  of  the  third  Month,  called  May,  yearly, 
and  so  be  held  in  and  about  the  Market-place, 
and  continue  for  that  Day  and  Two  Days 
next  following;  and  the  other  of  the  said 
Fairs  to  be  held  in  the  aforesaid  Place  on  the 
sixteenth  Day  of  the  ninth  Month  yearly, 
and  for  two  Days  next  after. 

AND  I  do  for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns, 
by  Virtue  of  the  King's  Letters  Patent, 
373 


THE  HISTORY   OF  THE 

make,  erect  and  constitute  the  said  City  of 
Philadelphia,  to  be  a  Port  or  Harbour  for 
discharging  and  unlading  of  Goods  and 
Merchandize  out  of  Ships,  Boats,  and  other 
Vessels ;  and  for  landing  and  shipping  them 
in  or  upon  such  and  so  many  Places,  Keys 
and  Wharfs  there,  as  by  the  Mayor,  Alder- 
men, and  Common-council  of  the  said  City, 
shall  from  Time  to  Time  be  thought  most  ex- 
pedient for  the  Accommodation  and  Service 
of  the  Officers  of  the  Customs,  in  the  Man- 
agement of  the  King's  Affairs  and  Preserva- 
tion of  his  Duties,  as  well  as  for  Conveniency 
of  Trade. 

AND  I  do  ordain  and  declare,  that  the  said 
Port  or  Harbour  shall  be  called  the  Port  of 
Philadelphia,  and  shall  extend  and  be  ac- 
counted to  extend  into  all  such  Creeks,  Rivers, 
and  Places  within  this  Province,  and  shall 
have  so  many  Wharfs,  Keys,  Landing-places 
and  Members  belonging  thereto,  for  landing 
and  shipping  of  Goods,  as  the  said  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  and  Common-council  for  the  Time 
being,  with  the  Approbation  of  the  Chief 
Officer  or  Officers  of  the  King's  Customs, 
shall  from  Time  to  Time  think  fit  to  appoint. 

AND  I  do  also  ordain,  that  the  Landing- 
places  now  and  heretofore  used  at  the  Penny- 
pot-house  and  Blue-anchor,  saving  to  all 
Persons  their  just  and  legal  Right  and  Prop- 
erties in  the  Lands  so  to  be  open ;  as  also  the 
374 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Swamp  between  Bud's  Buildings  and  the  So- 
ciety-hill, shall  be  left  open  and  common  for 
the  Use  and  Service  of  the  said  City  and  all 
others,  with  Liberty  to  dig  Docks  and  make 
Harbours  for  Ships  and  Vessels,  in  all  or  any 
Part  of  the  said  Swamp. 

AND  I  do  hereby  grant,  that  all  the  va- 
cant Land  within  the  Bounds  and  Limits  of 
the  said  City,  shall  remain  open  as  a  free 
Common  or  Pasture,  for  the  Use  of  the  In- 
habitants of  the  said  City,  until  the  same 
shall  be  gradually  taken  in,  in  order  to  build 
or  improve  thereon,  and  not  otherwise.  Pro- 
vided always,  That  nothing  herein  contained, 
shall  debar  me  or  my  Heirs  in  Time  to  come, 
from  fencing  in  all  the  vacant  Lands  that  lie 
between  the  Centre  Meeting  House  and  the 
Schuylkil,  which  I  intend  shall  be  divided 
from  the  Land  by  me  allotted  for  Delaware 
Side,  by  a  strait  Line  along  the  Broad-street 
from  Edward  Shippen's  Land  through  the 
Centre  Square  by  Daniel  Pegg's  Land;  nor 
shall  the  fencing  or  taking  in  any  of  the 
Streets,  happening  to  be  within  that  Inclo- 
sure  on  Skuylkil,  be  deemed  or  adjudged  to 
be  an  incroachment,  where  it  shall  not  inter- 
fere or  stop  any  of  the  Streets  or  Passages 
leading  to  any  of  the  Houses  built  or  to  be 
built  on  that  Side,  any  Thing  herein  con- 
tained to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

AND  I  do  grant,  that  this  present  Char- 
375 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

ter,  shall,  in  all  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity, 
be  construed  and  taken  most  favourably  and 
beneficially,  for  the  said  Corporation. 

IN  WITNESS  whereof,  I  have  hereunto 
set  my  Hand,  and  caused  my  Great  Seal  to  be 
affixed.  Dated  at  Philadelphia  the  five  and 
twentieth  Day  of  October,  Anno  Domini  one 
Thousand  seven  Hundred  and  One,  and  in 
the  thirteenth  Year  of  the  Reign  of  King 
William  the  Third,  over  England,  &c.  and 
the  one  and  twentieth  Year  of  my  Govern- 
ment. 

WILLIAM  PENN. 


The  CHARTER  of  PRIVILEGES  granted 
by  William  Penn,  Esq.,  to  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  Pensylvania  and  Territories. 

WILLIAM  PENN,  Proprietary  and  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Province  of  Pensylvania, 
and  Territories  thereunto  belonging.  To  all 
to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come,  sendeth 
Greeting.  WHEREAS  King  CHARLES 
the  Second,  by  his  Letters  Patents,  under  the 
Great  Seal  of  England,  bearing  Date  the 
fourth  Day  of  March,  in  the  Year  one  Thou- 
sand six  Hundred  and  Eighty,  was  graciously 
pleased  to  give  and  grant  unto  me,  and  my 
Heirs  and  Assigns  for  ever,  this  Province  of 
Pensylvania,  with  divers  great  Powers  and 
376 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Jurisdictions  for  the  well  Government  there- 
of. 

AND  WHEREAS  the  King's  dearest 
Brother,  JAMES  Duke  of  YORK  and  AL- 
BANY, &c.,  by  his  Deeds  of  Feoffment,  under 
his  Hand  and  Seal  duly  perfected,  bearing 
Date  the  Twenty-fourth  Day  of  August,  one 
Thousand  six  Hundred  Eighty  and  Two,  did 
grant  unto  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  all  that 
Tract  of  Land,  now  called  the  Territories  of 
Pensylvania,  together  with  Powers  and  Juris- 
dictions for  the  good  Government  thereof. 

AND  WHEREAS  for  the  Encouragement 
of  all  the  Freemen  and  Planters,  that  might 
be  concerned  in  the  said  Province  and  Terri- 
tories, and  for  the  good  Government  thereof, 
I  the  said  William  Penn,  in  the  Year  one 
Thousand  six  Hundred  Eighty  and  Three 
for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  did  grant  and 
confirm  unto  all  the  Freemen,  Planters  and 
Adventurers  therein,  divers  Liberties,  Fran- 
chises and  Properties,  as  by  the  said  Grant, 
entitled,  the  FRAME  of  the  Government  of 
the  Province  of  Pensylvania,  and  Territories 
thereunto  belonging,  in  America,  may  appear ; 
which  Charter  or  Frame  being  found  in  some 
parts  of  it,  not  so  suitable  to  the  present 
Circumstances  of  the  Inhabitants,  was  in  the 
third  Month,  in  the  Year  one  Thousand  seven 
Hundred,  delivered  up  to  me,  by  six  Parts  of 
seven  of  the  Freemen  of  this  Province  and 
377 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Territories,  in  general  Assembly  met,  Provi- 
sion being  made  in  the  said  Charter,  for  that 
End  and  Purpose. 

AND  WHEKEAS  I  was  then  pleased  to 
promise,  That  I  would  restore  the  said  Char- 
ter to  them  again,  with  necessary  Alterations, 
or  in  Lieu  thereof,  give  them  another,  better 
adapted  to  answer  the  present  Circumstances 
and  Conditions  of  the  said  Inhabitant ;  which 
they  have  now,  by  their  Representatives  in 
general  Assembly,  met  at  Philadelphia,  re- 
quested me  to  grant. 

KNOW  YE  THEREFORE,  That  for  the 
further  Well-being  and  good  Government  of 
the  said  Province,  and  Territories;  and  in 
Pursuance  of  the  Rights  and  Powers  before- 
mentioned,  I  the  said  William  Penn  do  de- 
clare, grant  and  confirm,  unto  all  the  Free- 
men, Planters  and  Adventurers,  and  other 
Inhabitants  in  this  Province  and  Territories, 
these  following  Liberties,  Franchises  and 
Privileges,  so  far  as  in  me  lieth,  to  be  held, 
enjoyed  and  kept,  by  the  Freemen,  Planters 
and  Adventurers,  and  other  Inhabitants  of 
and  in  the  said  Province  and  Territories 
thereunto  annexed,  for  ever. 

FIRST. 

BECAUSE  no  people  can  be  truly  happy, 
though  under  the  greatest  Enjoyment  of  civil 
Liberties,    if   abridged   of    the  Freedom   of 
378 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

their  Consciences,  as  to  their  religious  Profes- 
sion and  Worship  :  And  Almighty  God  being 
the  only  Lord  of  Conscience,  Father  of  Lights 
and  Spirits,  and  the  Author  as  well  as  Object 
of  all  divine  Knowledge,  Faith  and  Worship, 
who  only  doth  enlighten  the  Minds,  and  per- 
suade and  convince  the  Understandings  of 
People,  I  do  hereby  grant  and  declare,  That 
no  Person  or  Persons,  inhabiting  in  this  Pro- 
vince or  Territories,  who  shall  confess  and 
acknowledge  One  Almighty  God,  the  Crea- 
tor, Upholder  and  Ruler  of  the  World ;  and 
profess  him  or  themselves  obliged  to  live 
quietly  under  the  civil  Government,  shall  be 
in  any  Case  molested  or  prejudiced,  in  his  or 
their  Person  or  Estate,  because  of  his  or  their 
conscientious  Persuasion  or  Practice,  nor  be 
compelled  to  frequent  or  maintain  any  relig- 
ious Worship,  Place  or  Ministry,  contrary 
to  his  or  their  Mind,  or  to  do  or  suffer  any 
other  Act  or  Thing,  contrary  to  their  religious 
Persuasion. 

AND  that  all  Persons  who  also  profess  to 
believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  the 
World,  shall  be  capable  (notwithstanding 
their  other  Persuasions  and  Practices  in  Point 
of  Conscience  and  Religion)  to  serve  this 
Government  in  any  Capacity,  both  legisla- 
tively and  executively,  he  or  they  solemnly 
promising,  when  lawfully  required,  Allegi- 
ance to  the  King  as  Sovereign,  and  Fidelity 
379 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 


to  the  Proprietary  and  Governor,  and  taking 
the  Attests  as  now  established  by  the  Law 
made  at  Newcastle  in  the  Year  one  Thousand 
and  seven  Hundred,  entitled,  An  Act  direct- 
ing the  Attests  of  several  Officers  and  Minis- 
ters, as  now  amended  and  confirmed  by  this 
present  Assembly. 

II. 

FOE.  the  well  governing  of  this  Province 
and  Territories,  there  shall  be  an  Assembly 
yearly  chosen,  by  the  Freemen  thereof,  to 
consist  of  four  Persons  out  of  each  County, 
of  most  Note  for  Virtue,  Wisdom  and  Ability, 
(or  of  a  greater  Number  at  any  Time,  as  the 
Governor  and  Assembly  shall  agree)  upon 
the  first  Day  of  October  for  ever ;  and  shall 
sit  on  the  fourteenth  Day  of  the  same  Month, 
at  Philadelphia,  unless  the  Governor  and 
Council  for  the  Time  being,  shall  see  Cause 
to  appoint  another  Place  within  the  said 
Province  or  Territories:  Which  Assembly 
shall  have  Power  to  chuse  a  Speaker  and 
other  their  Officers ;  and  shall  be  Judges  of 
the  Qualifications  and  Elections  of  their  own 
Members;  sit  upon  their  own  Adjournments; 
appoint  Committees ;  prepare  Bills  in  order 
to  pass  into  Laws;  impeach  Criminals,  and 
redress  Grievances ;  and  shall  have  all  other 
Powers  and  Privileges  of  an  Assembly,  ac- 
cording to  the  Rights  of  the  free-born  Sub- 
380 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

jects  of  England,  and  as  is  usual  in  any  of 
the  King's  Plantations  in  America. 

AND  if  any  County  or  Counties,  shall  re- 
fuse or  neglect  to  chuse  their  respective  Rep- 
resentatives as  aforesaid,  or  if  chosen,  do  not 
meet  to  serve  in  Assembly,  those  who  are  so 
chosen  and  met,  shall  have  the  full  Power  of 
an  Assembly,  in  as  ample  Manner  as  if  all 
the  Representatives  had  been  chosen  and 
met,  provided  they  are  not  less  than  two 
Thirds  of  the  whole  Number  that  ought  to 
meet. 

AND  that  the  Qualifications  of  Electors 
and  Elected,  and  all  other  Matters  and 
Things  relating  to  Elections  of  Representa- 
tives to  serve  in  Assemblies,  though  not 
herein  particularly  expressed,  shall  be  and 
remain  as  by  a  Law  of  this  Government, 
made  at  New-Castle  in  the  Year  one  Thou- 
sand seven  Hundred,  entitled,  An  Act  to  as- 
certain the  Number  of  Members  of  Assembly, 
and  to  regulate  the  Elections. 

III. 

THAT  the  Ereemen  in  each  respective 
County,  at  the  Time  and  Place  of  Meeting  for 
electing  their  Representatives  to  serve  in 
Assembly,  may  as  often  as  there  shall  be  Oc- 
casion, chuse  a  double  Number  of  Persons  to 
present  to  the  Governor  for  Sheriffs  and 
Coroners,  to  serve  for  three  Years,  if  so  long 
881 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 

they  behave  themselves  well ;  out  of  which 
respective  Elections  and  Presentments,  the 
Governor  shall  nominate  and  commissionate 
one  for  each  of  the  said  Offices,  the  third 
Day  after  such  Presentment,  or  else  the  first 
named  in  such  Presentment,  for  each  Office 
as  aforesaid,  shall  stand  and  serve  in  that 
Office  for  the  Time  before  respectively  lim- 
ited ;  and  in  Case  of  Death  or  Default,  such 
Vacancies  shall  be  supplied  by  the  Governor, 
to  serve  to  the  End  of  the  said  Term. 

PROVIDED  ALWAYS,  That  if  the  said 
Freemen  shall  at  any  Time  neglect  or  de- 
cline to  chuse  a  Person  or  Persons  for  either 
or  both  the  aforesaid  Offices,  then  and  in  such 
Case,  the  Persons  that  are  or  shall  be  in  the 
respective  Offices  of  Sheriffs  or  Coroners,  at 
the  Time  of  Election,  shall  remain  therein 
until  they  shall  be  removed  by  another  Elec- 
tion as  aforesaid. 

AND  that  the  Justices  of  the  respective 
Counties,  shall  or  may  nominate  and  present 
to  the  Governor  three  Persons,  to  serve  for 
Clerk  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County,  when 
there  is  a  Vacancy,  one  of  which  the  Gover- 
nor shall  commissionate,  within  ten  Days 
after  such  Presentment,  or  else  the  first 
nominated,  shall  serve  in  the  said  Office  dur- 
ing good  Behaviour. 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

rv. 

TELAT  the  Laws  of  this  Government  shalT 
be  in  this  Stile,  viz.  By  the  Governor,  with 
the  Consent  and  Approbation  of  the  Freemen 
in  General  Assembly  met ;  and  shall  be,  after 
Confirmation  by  the  Governor,  forthwith 
recorded  in  the  Bolls -office,  and  kept  at 
Philadelphia,  unless  the  Governor  and  As- 
sembly shall  agree  to  appoint  another  Place. 


THAT  all  Criminals  shall  have  the  same 
Privileges  of  Witnesses  and  Council  as  their 
Prosecutors. 

VI. 

THAT  no  Person  or  Persons  shall  or  may, 
at  any  Time  hereafter,  be  obliged  to  answer 
any  Complaint,  Matter  or  Thing  whatsoever, 
relating  to  Property,  before  the  Governor  and 
Council,  or  in  any  other  Place,  but  in  ordi- 
nary Course  of  Justice,  unless  Appeals  there- 
unto shall  be  hereafter  by  Law  appointed. 

VII. 

THAT  no  Person  within  this  Government, 
shall  be  licensed  by  the  Governor  to  keep  an 
Ordinary,  Tavern,  or  House  of  Publick  En- 
tertainment, but  such  who  are  first  recom- 
mended to  him,  under  the  Hands  of  the 
Justices  of  the  respective  Counties,  signed  in 
383 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
v 

open  Court ;  which  Justices  are  and  shall  be 

hereby  impowered,   to  suppress  and  forbid 

any  Person,  keeping  such  Publick-house   as 

aforesaid,  upon  their  Misbehaviour,  on  such 

Penalties   as  the  Law  doth  or  shall  direct; 

and  to  recommend  others  from  Time  to  Time, 

as  they  shall  see  Occasion. 

VIII. 

IF  any  Person,  through  Temptation  or  Mel- 
ancholy, shall  destroy  himself,  his  Estate, 
real  and  personal,  shall  notwithstanding  de- 
scend to  his  Wife  and  Children,  or  Relations, 
as  if  he  had  died  a  natural  Death ;  and  if 
any  Person  shall  be  destroyed  or  killed  by 
Casualty  or  Accident,  there  shall  be  no  For- 
feiture to  the  Governor  by  Reason  thereof. 

AND  no  Act,  Law  or  Ordinance  whatso- 
ever, shall  at  any  Time  hereafter,  be  made  or 
done,  to  alter,  change,  or  diminish  the  Form 
or  Effect  of  this  Charter,  or  of  any  Part  of 
clause  therein,  contrary  to  the  true  Intent 
and  Meaning  thereof,  without  the  Consent  of 
the  Governor  for  the  Time  being,  and  six 
Parts  of  seven  of  the  Assembly  met. 

BUT  because  the  Happiness  of  Mankind 
depends  so  much  upon  the  enjoying  of  Lib- 
erty of  their  Consciences  as  aforesaid,  I  do 
hereby  solemnly  declare,  promise  and  grant, 
for  me,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns,  that  the  first 
Article  of  this  Charter  relating  to  Liberty  of 
384 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Conscience,  and  every  Part  and  Clause  there- 
in, according  to  the  true  Intent  and  Meaning 
thereof,  shall  be  kept  and  remain  without 
any  Alteration,  inviolably  for  ever. 

AND  LASTLY,  I  the  said  William  Penn, 
Proprietary  and  Governor  of  the  Province  of 
Pensylvania,  and  Territories  thereunto  be- 
longing, for  myself,  my  Heirs  and  Assigns, 
have  solemnly  declared,  granted  and  con- 
firmed, and  do  hereby  solemnly  declare, 
grant  and  confirm,  That  neither  I,  my  Heirs 
or  Assigns,  shall  procure  or  do  any  Thing  or 
Things,  whereby  the  Liberties  in  this  Char- 
ter contained  and  expressed,  nor  any  Part 
thereof,  shall  be  infringed  or  broken :  And  if 
any  Thing  shall  be  procured  or  done  by  any 
Person  or  Persons,  contrary  to  these  Pres- 
ents, it  shall  be  held  of  no  Force  or  Effect. 

IN  WITNESS  whereof,  I  the  said  William 
Penn,  at  Philadelphia  in  Pensylvania,  have 
unto  this  present  Charter  of  Liberties,  set  my 
Hand  and  broad  Seal,  this  twenty-eighth 
Day  of  October,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord,  one 
Thousand  seven  Hundred  and  One,  being  the 
thirteenth  Year  of  the  Keign  of  King  WIL- 
LIAM the  Third,  over  England,  Scotland, 
France,  and  Ireland,  &c.  and  the  twenty-first 
Year  of  my  Government. 

AND  NOTWITHSTANDING  the  Closure 
and  Test  of  this  present  Charter  as  afore- 
said, I  think  fit  to  add  this  following  Proviso 
Vol.  II.— 25  385 


THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 

thereunto,  as  Part  of  the  same,  That  is  to 
say,  That  notwithstanding  any  Clause  or 
Clauses  in  the  above-mentioned  Charter, 
obliging  the  Province  and  Territories,  to  join 
together  in  Legislation,  I  am  content,  and  do 
hereby  declare,  That  if  the  Representatives 
of  the  Province  and  Territories  shall  not  here- 
after agree  to  join  together  in  Legislation, 
and  that  the  same  shall  be  signified  unto  me, 
or  my  Deputy,  in  open  Assembly,  or  other- 
wise, from  under  the  Hands  and  Seals  of  the 
Representatives,  for  the  Time  being,  of  the 
Province  and  Territories,  or  the  major  Part 
of  either  of  them,  at  any  Time  within  three 
Years  from  the  Date  hereof,  that  in  such 
Case,  the  Inhabitants  of  each  of  the  three 
counties  of  this  Province,  shall  not  have  less 
than  eight  Persons  to  represent  them  in  As- 
sembly, for  the  Province;  and  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Philadelphia  (when  the 
said  Town  is  incorporated)  two  Persons  to 
represent  them  in  Assembly;  and  the  In- 
habitants of  each  county  in  the  Territories, 
shall  have  as  many  Persons  to  represent 
them,  in  a  distinct  Assembly  for  the  Terri- 
tories, as  shall  be  by  them  requested  as  afore- 
said. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  which  Separation 
of  the  Province  and  Territories,  in  Respect 
of  Legislation,  I  do  hereby  promise,  grant 
and  declare,  That  the  Inhabitants  of  both 


FIVE  INDIAN  NATIONS,  &c. 

Province  and  Territories,  shall  separately 
enjoy  all  other  Liberties,  Privileges  and  Bene- 
fits, granted  jointly  to  them  in  this  Charter, 
any  Law,  Usage,  or  Custom  of  this  Govern- 
ment heretofore  made  and  practised,  or  any 
Law  made  and  passed  by  this  General  As- 
sembly, to  the  contrary  hereof  notwithstand- 
ing. 

WILLIAM  PENN. 

THIS  CHARTER  of  PRIVILEGES  being 
distinctly  read  in  Assembly,  and  the 
whole  and  every  Part  thereof,  being  ap- 
proved of  and  agreed  to,  by  us,  we  do 
thankfully  receive  the  same  from  our 
Proprietary  and  Governor,  at  Philadel- 
phia, this  twenty-eighth  Day  of  Octo- 
ber, one  Thousand  seven  Hundred  and 
One.  Signed  on  Behalf,  and  by  Order 
of  the  Assembly, 

per  Joseph  Growdon,  Speaker. 


Edward  Shippen, 
Phineas  Pemberton, 
Samuel  Carpenter, 
Griffith  Owen, 
Caleb  Pusey, 
Thomas  Story, 


Proprietary  and  Gov- 
ernor's Council. 


FINIS. 


387 


I 


AMERICAN  EXPLORERS  SERIES 

Prof.  JOHN  BACH  McMASTER 

General  Editor  i 

17  volumes,  each  12mo,  cloth,  gilt  tops,  with  illustrations,  maps,  etc.     ( 

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The  Voyages  and  Explorations  of  Samuel  de  Champlain,  1604-1616,  as 
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Narrative  of  the  Career  of  Hernando  De  Soto  in  the  Conquest  of  Florida, 
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Voyages  from  Montreal  through  the  Continent  of  North  America  to  the 
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